In recent years, the arrests of several organized crime bosses have highlighted Vietnam's persistent efforts in combating underworld activities. These crackdowns not only dismantle criminal networks but also help restore public peace. VietNamNet revisits notorious figures to shed light on law enforcement's tireless work to unearth and bring down organized crime syndicates.

From real estate mogul to ‘death service king’: The rise and fall of Duong “Nhue”

Once portrayed as a philanthropic power couple, Nguyen Xuan Duong (known as Duong “Nhue”) and his wife Nguyen Thi Duong built a polished image through charity work and close ties with celebrities. Yet behind their glittering persona was a shadowy network of organized crime involving extortion, loan sharking, and monopolization of funeral services.

In April 2020, Thai Binh police arrested the couple on charges of “intentionally causing injury.” Investigators uncovered illegal operations at their company, Duong Duong Real Estate, including extortion from cremation services and violent intimidation in land auctions.

Duong “Nhue” was notorious in Thai Binh’s property and black credit markets. He manipulated land auctions by sending goons to threaten rivals into withdrawing or bidding low, thereby securing prime lots at bargain prices. In one March 2020 auction alone, Duong’s family won over 30 out of 46 land lots.

On social media, Duong crafted a philanthropic image, associating with online influencers like Dung “Troc” and Phu Le. He appeared in crime-themed video clips, portraying martial arts advisers and gang leaders to flaunt underground power.

However, Duong’s true grip over Thai Binh came from a sector few expected - funeral services.

Through Duong Duong Co., fronted by his wife, Duong infiltrated the provincial cremation network in 2017, exploiting connections with the Thanh Binh crematorium in Nam Dinh. He positioned himself as chairman of a self-styled “Thai Binh Funeral Association,” then forced over 25 local funeral service providers to pay 500,000 VND (approximately $20) per cremation under threat of area restrictions or disrupted funeral processions.

Many victims were too afraid to report or later withdrew complaints after being “visited.” Only after intervention by the Ministry of Public Security in April 2020 were the full details of Duong’s extortion ring exposed.

Investigations revealed nearly 2.5 billion VND (over $98,000) had been extorted from local providers. One firm, Vinh Hang, lost 645 million VND ($25,200), while others were forced to pay tens of millions. Though Duong did not directly commit violence, he orchestrated systemic coercion using his criminal associates.

In November 2021, the Thai Binh Provincial Court sentenced Duong to 15 years for multiple offenses, including extortion and assault. On appeal in May 2022, the High Court in Hanoi upheld the verdict, raising his total sentence to 22 years.

Minh “Sam”: The lumber tycoon who ruled with silent terror in Bac Ninh

In the timber trade of Bac Ninh, Nguyen Ngoc Minh, known as Minh “Sam,” cultivated the image of a successful businessman. As director of Dai An Co., he amassed luxury cars, prime land, and even accolades from provincial authorities. But his past was steeped in violence - he previously served 19 years for murder and illegal weapons possession.

Rebranding himself as an entrepreneur, Minh expanded into real estate and timber trade, notably at the Phu Khe markets. Behind this legitimate façade, he operated a racketeering network, collecting illegal tolls from traders and truck drivers.

Minh installed checkpoints at key market access points. Trucks were forced to pay up to 3 million VND ($120) per entry, even empty vehicles were charged 50,000 VND ($2). Refusal led to harassment or denial of entry. Local merchants lived in fear, controlled by a silent but ever-present intimidation network.

Minh delegated fee collection to family and loyal enforcers like Nguyen Thanh Hung (“Hung Soc”), even converting parts of public market projects into private timber yards. Vendors were forced to offload goods only at his sites, incurring extra handling fees.

The network unraveled in August 2014 when a Dai An employee was caught extorting 1.2 million VND ($47) from a trader. Police raids uncovered a cache of weapons - including four pistols and a grenade - along with seven luxury cars, rare timber, and large sums of cash and foreign currency.

Authorities concluded that Minh and nine associates, including his daughter and son-in-law, engaged in organized extortion and disrupted the timber trade’s integrity.

In June 2017, Minh received a 36-month prison sentence for extortion. Despite the light penalty, his criminal enterprise left lasting damage, having masqueraded as a legitimate business empire.

Y Nhuy - Dinh Hieu