Former vice chief of HCMC tax department given 4-year jail term
Nguyen Thi Bich Hanh, former vice chief of the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department, was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday for "violating rules on state asset management" in the Thu Duc Housing Development Corporation scandal.
Other defendants, also former staff of the tax department, were given sentences ranging from suspended 30-month jail terms to four years behind bars for helping Hanh and for their "lack of responsibility, causing serious consequences".
Nguyen Vu Bao Hoang, former general director of Thu Duc Housing Development Corporation (Thuduc House), was sentenced to six years in jail for "fraudulently appropriating property" and "violating accounting rules, causing serious consequences".
Nguyen Thi Bich Hanh in court in HCMC on June 6, 2023. Photo courtesy of Young People newspaper.
The court said Hanh and the tax officers had wrongly approved tax refunds 15 times for Thuduc House and neglected signs of tax management risks, causing a loss of VND365 billion ($15.5 million) to the state. Hanh and the other defendants had admitted to their violations.
The heaviest punishments of 30 years in jail went to Tran Nhat Thanh and Mac Van Nguyen, two of Trinh Tien Dung's accomplices, the mastermind behind the crime.
Overall, 67 defendants were given 13 suspended jail terms, five financial penalties, and 49 jail terms.
Thuduc House has already paid back VND365 billion ($15.5 million), so some defendants were given reduced sentences.
From 2016 to 2020, Trinh Tien Dung, currently a fugitive, directed people to set up "ghost" companies in Vietnam and abroad to take advantage of a state policy that encourages enterprises to export electronic components with a tax rate of 0%.
The investigative agency said that Dung had hooked up with officers in District 1, 3, and 5 tax departments; then together with Luu Thi Ngat, director of Khanh Hung Company, used 16 "ghost" companies to issue false VAT invoices, legalizing input for Thuduc House, Southwest Saigon Company, and Hoang Nam Anh Company to receive VAT refunds.
Dung is still on the run, the investigation agency will handle his crimes in a separate case as soon as he is arrested.
- Related News
- Read More
Coteccons dismisses concerns over executive departure, competition from Vingroup's arm
Vietnam's leading contractor Coteccons (HoSE: CTD) said a recent change in senior management was unrelated to the company's share price performance, as executives highlighted record order backlog and accelerating earnings growth amid a recovery in Vietnam's construction industry.
Companies - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 5:26 pm GMT+7
VinaCapital lists 2 strategic ETFs as Vietnam fund market broadens
Vietnam’s leading investment management firm VinaCapital has listed two strategic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, expanding investment options for investors seeking targeted exposure to Vietnam's long-term economic growth themes.
Finance - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 4:39 pm GMT+7
Oil & gas industry gives Vietnam edge in offshore wind supply chain: Global Wind Energy Council CEO
Vietnam is well positioned to play a significant role in the offshore wind power supply chain thanks to its established manufacturing base and expertise developed through its oil & gas industry and existing wind power projects, according to Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
Energy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 4:31 pm GMT+7
Vietnam banking, retail, oil stocks well placed for market recovery: brokerages
Vietnamese banking, retail and oil-gas stocks are among the sectors best positioned to benefit from a potential market recovery after months of pressure from geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic headwinds, according to local brokerages.
Finance - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 1:04 pm GMT+7
Petrovietnam, Huawei discuss cooperation in digital transformation, AI, energy technologies
State-owned Petrovietnam and China's Huawei Technologies discussed potential cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and digital energy infrastructure during a meeting last week, as the Vietnamese giant seeks to modernize its operations and expand into new energy sectors.
Companies - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 12:20 pm GMT+7
Over 38% of Vietnamese businesses still face informal costs despite reforms: survey
More than 38% of businesses in Vietnam still pay informal charges, highlighting persistent gaps between regulatory reforms and their implementation, according to a survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Economy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 11:26 am GMT+7
China ready to expand railway, power connectivity with Vietnam: PM
China is prepared to strengthen railway cooperation and enhance power grid connectivity with Vietnam, thereby expanding logistics corridors, trade links, and energy cooperation, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a phone talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung on Monday.
Economy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 8:52 am GMT+7
VN-Index approaches 1,800-point mark as easing Middle East tensions lift sentiment
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index edged closer to the 1,800-point threshold on Monday as improving sentiment over easing tensions in the Middle East boosted risk appetite, driving gains in brokerage stocks while oil and Vingroup-related stocks weighed on the market.
Finance - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 8:34 pm GMT+7
Japanese products dominate Vietnamese consumer trust, but younger shoppers rewriting rules
Japanese products continue to enjoy the highest level of trust among Vietnamese consumers, reinforcing the country’s position as the benchmark for quality and reliability in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets, according to a new survey by market research firm Q&Me.
Economy - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 6:48 pm GMT+7
VinEnergo ramps up renewable energy push with 4 new subsidiaries
VinEnergo, the energy arm of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, has accelerated its expansion into the power sector, establishing four new subsidiaries within a week as it builds a growing portfolio of renewable energy and infrastructure projects across Vietnam.
Companies - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 4:52 pm GMT+7
Thaco deepens ties with Hyundai Rotem to localize railway manufacturing in Vietnam
Vietnamese conglomerate Thaco and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem have signed a detailed technology transfer and localization agreement for railway rolling stock production.
Industries - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 4:01 pm GMT+7
UOB Vietnam appoints Pham Hong Hai as deputy country CEO
Singapore's United Overseas Bank (Vietnam) Limited on Monday appointed Pham Hong Hai, former CEO of HSBC Vietnam and later Vietnamese bank OCB, as deputy country CEO, effective immediately.
Banking - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 2:26 pm GMT+7
Shinhan Bank Vietnam launches AI translation desk, strengthening customer experience, digital innovation
Shinhan Bank Vietnam has officially launched AI Translation Desk, an AI-powered interpretation solution designed to help foreign customers communicate more easily while using banking services in Vietnam.
Banking - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 12:03 pm GMT+7
FDI listings a missing piece in Vietnam's stock market development
As Vietnam's stock market moves closer to its long-awaited upgrade to secondary emerging market status and seeks to attract higher-quality capital, allowing more foreign-invested companies to list on domestic exchanges could broaden the pool of investable assets and support the next phase of capital market development.
Finance - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 11:14 am GMT+7
Chinese robot 'eyes' manufacturer builds 10-hectare factory in northern Vietnam
Orbbec Inc., a Chinese company specializing in 3D vision sensors and robotic hardware, is building an over-10-hectare manufacturing center in the northern province of Bac Ninh to serve international markets.
Industries - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Long Thanh airport project faces shortage of 2,000 workers
The Long Thanh International Airport project in the southern province of Dong Nai is still short nearly 2,000 workers compared to actual requirements during its final acceleration phase.
Infrastructure - Sun, June 14, 2026 | 6:08 pm GMT+7
