Deputy trade minister arrested for 'receiving bribes'

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai was detained on Thursday on charge of “accepting bribes” in an oil trading company scam.

Hai’s arrest was made at the request of the Ministry of Public Security's investigative agency, according to Lieutenant General To An Xo, the ministry’s spokesperson.

Do Thang Hai boasts many years working at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), holding the position of Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency director before being appointed deputy minister in 2014.

At the MoIT, Hai is in charge of the domestic market department, the European-American market department, and the industry department; and directly manages issues related to the gasoline sector, trade promotion, and European-American markets.

In a Wednesday release, the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission said it determined that Hai and many other Party leaders of the trade ministry in the 2016-2021 and 2021-2026 tenures committed violations in giving advice on and promulgating mechanisms for developing solar power and wind power; implementing the adjusted Power Development Plan VII; giving advice on and promulgating gasoline business mechanisms, supply management and licensing, and the use of the Price Stabilization Fund; organizing, appraising and approving bids; and projects/contract packages implemented by AIC Company.

His detention is part of an expanded investigation into the case of “violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing losses and waste; showing lack of responsibility, causing serious consequences; giving bribes; and accepting bribes” that occurred at Xuyen Viet Oil Travel and Transport Trading Company Limited and related agencies.

Mai Thi Hong Hanh, director of Xuyen Viet Oil and her deputy Nguyen Thi Nhu Phuong were the first two wrongdoers to be arrested in September for their roles in this case. They were charged of “violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing losses and waste” under Article 219 of the Criminal Code.

In early December, the police arrested Le Duc Tho, former Party Central Committee member and former chief of Ben Tre province’s Party Committee, for “abuse of positions to influence others for personal gains”; and Le Duy Minh, director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Finance, for “taking bribes”

Xuyen Viet Oil is one of 37 gasoline trading units in Vietnam, and was established in 2005 with headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City. It mainly operates in Central Highlands provinces.|

On August 11, the company had its gasoline import and export license, issued on November 19, 2021 and valid until November 2026, revoked by the Minister of Industry and Trade.

According to a 2022 police inspection, Xuyen Viet Oil had committed many violations in its gasoline business activities, such as failing to meet the distribution condition of having at least 40 general agents or retail agents or franchisees.