Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has completed its investigation into a major bribery and corruption case involving Phuc Son Group, one of the country’s most high-profile corporate scandals.

Authorities have recommended charges against 41 individuals, including former provincial secretaries, chairpersons, and senior officials.

According to the investigation report, Nguyen Van Hau, also known as Hau "Phao", allegedly bribed officials with over 132 billion VND ($5.2 million).

Among those implicated, former Vinh Phuc Party Secretary Hoang Thi Thuy Lan allegedly received 25 billion VND ($1 million) and an additional $1 million in cash.

Widespread bribery across multiple provinces

Authorities have charged key figures, including Nguyen Van Hau, chairman and CEO of Phuc Son Group; Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, former Party Secretary of Vinh Phuc; Le Duy Thanh, former Chairman of Vinh Phuc People's Committee; and other senior officials from Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, and Quang Ngai provinces.

Hau "Phao" allegedly bribed several officials, including:

Nguyen Van Khước (former Vinh Phuc Vice Chairman): 3 billion VND ($120,000) and $20,000

Le Duy Thanh (former Vinh Phuc Chairman): 20 billion VND ($800,000) and $1.3 million

Pham Hoang Anh (former Standing Deputy Party Secretary of Vinh Phuc): 400 million VND ($16,000) and $20,000

Hoang Van Nhiem (former Deputy Director of Vinh Phuc Finance Department): 1.45 billion VND ($58,000)

Chu Quoc Hai (former Deputy Director of Vinh Phuc Department of Natural Resources and Environment): 100 million VND ($4,000) and $20,000

Dang Van Minh (former Director of Quang Ngai Department of Transport): 22.6 billion VND ($900,000) and $240,000, with 10.6 billion VND ($420,000) and $40,000 personally pocketed

Cao Khoa (former Chairman of Quang Ngai Province): 6 billion VND ($240,000) and $20,000

Le Viet Chu (former Deputy Chairman of Quang Ngai People's Committee): 6 billion VND ($240,000)

Massive asset seizures in anti-corruption crackdown

Vietnam’s Government Inspectorate has revealed that the Phuc Son Group corruption case alone led to the confiscation of 315.75 billion VND ($12.6 million), 534 SJC gold bars, and 1,444 land use certificates as part of the country’s intensified anti-corruption efforts.

The case underscores the deep-rooted corruption among high-ranking officials and the systematic abuse of power for personal enrichment. With the investigation now concluded, prosecutors are preparing to bring one of the largest corruption trials in recent years to court.

T. Nhung