In a swift and highly scrutinized trial, a Vietnamese court has sentenced prominent journalist and author Huy Duc to 30 months in prison for posting articles on Facebook that criticized the government. The 63-year-old was convicted under charges of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state” after a trial in the capital, Hanoi, that lasted only a few hours.
According to the state-run Vietnam News Agency, the indictment cited 13 Facebook posts made by Huy Duc, alleging that they “caused negative impacts on social order and safety” due to their high volume of interactions, comments, and shares. His sentencing marks another significant blow to press freedom in Vietnam, a nation where independent journalism faces relentless repression under the one-party communist regime.
Huy Duc, whose real name is Truong Huy San, is known for his fearless reporting and critical stance against government policies. He previously worked for influential state-run newspapers before transitioning to independent journalism. His widely-followed blog and Facebook account have become crucial platforms for shedding light on sensitive topics such as corruption, media censorship, and Vietnam’s complex relationship with China.
The former senior army lieutenant was dismissed from his position at a state newspaper in 2009 after publishing content critical of Vietnam’s historical ties with the Soviet Union. Despite this, Huy Duc continued to voice his opinions. In 2012, he earned a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University, where he published his seminal book, The Winning Side, a detailed account of post-war Vietnam.
His recent conviction comes amid an escalating crackdown on dissenting voices. Just months before his sentencing, another blogger, Duong Van Thai, was imprisoned for 12 years on charges of distributing “antistate” content. Similarly, a former lawyer was sentenced to three years in prison in January for Facebook posts that criticized the government.
Observers note that Huy Duc’s arrest may be linked to his outspoken critiques of Vietnam’s new leadership. In the weeks leading up to his detention in June, he publicly criticized Vietnam’s current leader To Lam and former general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Although the court did not explicitly tie his conviction to these specific comments, many believe the posts played a pivotal role in his prosecution.
Vietnam remains one of the world’s most repressive environments for journalists. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the country ranks among the leading jailers of journalists globally. The organization described Huy Duc’s writings as “an invaluable source of information” that allows the Vietnamese public to bypass state censorship and access independent perspectives.
Huy Duc’s imprisonment reflects a broader trend of tightening digital surveillance in Vietnam. In December, the government enacted “Decree 147,” a controversial regulation that compels social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok to verify user identities and store personal data. Under these rules, all users must register with a valid phone number or government-issued identification, providing their full name and date of birth. This move grants authorities enhanced power to monitor and suppress dissenting voices online.
Human rights groups have condemned these measures, arguing that they infringe on privacy rights and further curtail freedom of expression.
International watchdogs and advocacy organizations continue to sound the alarm over Vietnam’s increasingly authoritarian stance. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International have both called for the immediate release of Huy Duc and other detained journalists, warning that these actions undermine democratic principles and fundamental human rights.
The Vietnamese government, however, remains defiant. Officials insist that their actions are necessary to preserve social stability and national security. Yet, critics argue that these measures are part of a calculated strategy to silence opposition voices and maintain the Communist Party’s tight grip on power.
As global attention turns to Vietnam’s human rights record, the case of Huy Duc underscores the ongoing risks faced by journalists who dare to speak truth to power.
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