Phuc Son Group Chairman sentenced to 30 years in prison in major corruption trial

Nguyen Van Hau, Chairman and CEO of Phuc Son Group, was charged with giving bribes and violating bidding and accounting regulations, causing serious consequences. He received a combined jail sentence of 30 years - 14 years for bribery, nine years for the bidding violation, and seven years for accounting irregularities.

The Hanoi People’s Court on July 11 issues verdicts for 41 defendants in a major corruption case involving real estate firm Phuc Son Group JSC and senior former provincial officials. (Photo: VNA)
The Hanoi People’s Court on July 11 issues verdicts for 41 defendants in a major corruption case involving real estate firm Phuc Son Group JSC and senior former provincial officials. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Hanoi People’s Court on July 11 issued verdicts for 41 defendants in a major corruption case involving real estate firm Phuc Son Group JSC and senior former provincial officials.

Nguyen Van Hau, Chairman and CEO of Phuc Son Group, was charged with giving bribes and violating bidding and accounting regulations, causing serious consequences. He received a combined jail sentence of 30 years - 14 years for bribery, nine years for the bidding violation, and seven years for accounting irregularities.

According to the court, Hau used bribes to gain unlawful advantages for his companies - Phuc Son Group and Thang Long Company - particularly in projects across former Vinh Phuc and Quang Ngai provinces.

Nine high-profile former officials were convicted of receiving bribes, including Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Vinh Phuc province (before being merged with Phu Tho and Hoa Binh) who received 14 years in prison; Le Duy Thanh, former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People’s Committee 12 years; and Pham Hoang Anh, former Standing Deputy Secretary of the Vinh Phuc Party Committee, and Dang Van Minh, former Director of the Department of Transport and former Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai province (before being merged Kon Tum province under the name of Quang Ngai) with eight years each.

Other former leaders of Vinh Phuc and Quang Ngai provinces received prison terms ranging from four to seven years

The court found that Lan accepted nearly 48 billion VND (1.83 million USD) and Thanh received 50 billion VND from Hau in exchange for directing or approving decisions that favoured Hau’s companies, including extending project deadlines, illegally awarding land without public bidding, and bypassing zoning regulations.

phuc-son2-110725.jpg
The defendants listen to the court's verdict. (Photo: VNA)

Another group of eight defendants including former provincial leaders from Vinh Phuc and Phu Tho were convicted of abuse of power and position while performing official duties. Their jail terms ranged from suspended sentences to three years in prison.

Seventeen others, including former district officials and corporate executives, were found guilty of violating bidding regulations, with penalties from two to six years in prison.

Additionally, five defendants were convicted of violating accounting rules, including senior executives at Phuc Son Group, who received sentences between two and four and a half years.

The court concluded that senior officials in Vinh Phuc and Quang Ngai abused their power in exchange for bribes. They enabled Phuc Son Group and Thang Long Company to gain unlawful advantages in a range of state-funded construction and urban development projects.

One project, the Vinh Phuc wholesale market, was at risk of cancellation under the 2014 Investment Law, but provincial leaders unlawfully intervened to protect Hau’s interests.

The court highlighted serious misconduct, such as approving zoning changes, extending deadlines, awarding land without auctions, and approving projects without proper planning authorization. It said such large-scale corruption undermines transparency in bidding processes and harms the business environment, as well as socio-economic development, sparking public outrage./.

VNA

See more

Nguyen Thanh Ha, Consul General of Vietnam in Western Australia and the Northern Territory presents Certificates of Commendation from the Consul General to students and volunteers in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the organisation of Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese community in Australia united through youth engagement

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Thanh Ha, Consul General of Vietnam in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, praised the dedication of young Vietnamese living in the region. She emphasised that the success of Xuan Que Huong was built not only on its colourful performances, but also on the strong sense of responsibility and tireless behind-the-scenes efforts of students and volunteers.

A full suite of automated technologies has been deployed across the Terminal T2 at Noi Bai International Airport, giving travellers greater control over their procedures from check-in to boarding. (Photo: VNA)

Noi Bai Airport to operate expanded int’l terminal with comprehensive automation

The upgrade follows directives from the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Construction and is designed to ease pressure on existing infrastructure by lifting the terminal’s annual capacity from 10 million to 15 million passengers. For the first time, a full suite of automated technologies has been deployed across the terminal, giving travellers greater control over their procedures from check-in to boarding.

Soldiers help flood-hit communities clean up in Hoa Thinh commune, Dak Lak province. (Photo: VNA)

Concerted efforts help disaster-hit communities rebuild lives

The “Quang Trung Campaign” to rapidly repair and rebuild houses for affected families in central provinces is seen as a catalyst for faster and more sustainable recovery, extending beyond housing restoration to reinforcing essential infrastructure, enhancing community resilience, and strengthening public trust in the Party and Government.

Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, addresses the dialogue in Hanoi on December 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam among Asia’s leaders in governance capacity

Vietnam has climbed 12 places in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) since 2021, rising from 60th to 48th globally. Over the past five years, the country has recorded progress in six out of seven CGGI pillars, making it one of Asia’s most notable governance reformers.

Scientific research activities at the National Hospital of Endocrinology. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam sets roadmap for intellectual workforce to 2045

The strategy aims to build a high-quality Vietnamese intellectual workforce with a rational structure, identified as a core driving force for the rapid development of modern productive forces, as well as a leading force in digital transformation, innovation and international integration.

Le Duy Thanh, former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People’s Committee, is escorted to the courtroom. (Photo: anninhthudo.vn)

Appeal trial opened for Phuc Son Group corruption case

According to the first-instance verdict, Nguyen Van Hau, Chairman and CEO of Phuc Son Group, exploited personal and professional connections to bribe over 132 billion VND (over 5 million USD) to leaders of the Party Committees, People’s Committees, and departments in Vinh Phuc and Quang Ngai, enabling Phuc Son Group to secure many contracts in these localities and Phu Tho province.

A performance at the year-end review programme in Sydney on December 14, co-organised by the Vietnam-Australia Scholars & Experts Association and Vietnam-Australia Cultural Exchange Organisation. (Photo: VNA)

Gathering honours knowledge, culture, community spirit of OVs in Australia

Addressing the gathering that drew more than 300 guests, Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Thanh Tung highlighted contributions of the Vietnamese community in Australia, particularly intellectuals and professionals, to the host society as well as cooperation between the two countries.

Agricultural production models help farmer access modern technology to improve output. (Photo: VNA)

Three national target programmes basically meet, exceed 2021-2025 goals

A report from the Central Steering Committee for National Target Programmes for the 2021–2025 period showed that poverty reduction in ethnic minority-inhabited areas averaged 3.2% per year. Per capita income among ethnic minorities is estimated to reach 45.9 million VND (1,760 USD) in 2025, a 3.3-fold increase from the 2020 level, well surpassing the goal of more than doubling.

Professor Dr. Tran Hong Thai receives the honorary doctorate title and certificate from Professor Nikolay Rogalev of MPEI. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnamese professor awarded honorary doctorate by Moscow institute

Professor Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) was granted an Honorary Doctorate by The Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI) for his outstanding contributions to scientific development, education and international cooperation in the energy sector.