Health official arrested in medical equipment scam, businesswoman wanted

By An Le
Fri, April 29, 2022 | 7:10 pm GMT+7

Police arrested Phan Huy Anh Vu, Director of Dong Nai's Department of Health, on Friday and are searching for Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, former chairwoman and CEO of Advanced International JSC (AIC), over a scam in the southern province.

Nhan, 53, and Vu, 55, were accused of “violating regulations on bidding, causing serious consequences,” To An Xo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security, said.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, former chairwoman and CEO of AIC (left), and Phan Huy Anh Vu, Director of Dong Nai's Department of Health. Photos courtesy of AIC Group and CDC Dong Nai.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, former chairwoman and CEO of AIC (left), and Phan Huy Anh Vu, Director of Dong Nai's Department of Health. Photos courtesy of AIC Group and CDC Dong Nai.

When committing the charged offense, Vu was Director of Dong Nai General Hospital, which was put into operation in April 2015 after several years of construction, according to police. The equipment procurement bidding scam took place at the hospital.

Police are also investigating charges against seven others, namely former AIC Deputy CEO Hoang Thi Thuy Nga; Nguyen Cong Tien CEO of New Generation Valuation JSC; Ninh Van Sinh, an ex-valuator at the company; Vu Quang Ngoc, Deputy Director of Medicosult Vietnam Joint Venture; and three AIC employees - Nguyen Quang Minh, Nguyen Tien Thu, and Hoang The Quynh.

Police said they are all involved in the bidding for packages to purchase medical equipment for the Dong Nai General Hospital project, which was approved by provincial authorities at an investment of over VND1.9 trillion ($82.9 million).

Investigators found violations during the preparation of dossiers for the tenders of 12 packages to purchase medical equipment in the 2013-2015 period. Executives from AIC, the consulting firm and valuation company have "colluded, inflated the price” of medical equipment, enabling AIC to win 12 packages at VND476.87 billion ($20.77 million), causing damages of some VND152 billion ($6.62 million).

AIC was established in 2005, specializing in labor export. It has become a multi-sector corporation with more than 10 subsidiaries. In recent years, the company has won numerous bidding packages to supply equipment in healthcare and education across the country.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
What makes NobleGo - Vietnam’s first home-bidding livestream platform - so notable?

What makes NobleGo - Vietnam’s first home-bidding livestream platform - so notable?

NobleGo – Vietnam’s pioneering AI-powered livestream real estate bidding platform developed by Sunshine Group – has completed its first 20 livestream sessions.

Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 4:53 pm GMT+7

Japanese retailer Aeon to debut another northern Vietnam shopping mall by end-2026

Japanese retailer Aeon to debut another northern Vietnam shopping mall by end-2026

Japanese-backed Aeonmall Vietnam is ramping up construction on its Aeon Mall Ha Long project in Quang Ninh province, home to Ha Long Bay, with an aim to open it to the public by end-2026.

Industries - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7

Hanoi terminates Vinaxuki auto plant project, repurposes land for commercial complex

Hanoi terminates Vinaxuki auto plant project, repurposes land for commercial complex

A long-stalled automotive manufacturing project by Xuan Kien Auto JSC (Vinaxuki) has been officially terminated by Hanoi authorities, and the reclaimed land in Phuc Thinh commune will be repurposed for a new commercial and service complex.

Industries - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 2:44 pm GMT+7

Central Vietnam province reviews investment proposal for thermal power project after Thai EGATi pullout

Central Vietnam province reviews investment proposal for thermal power project after Thai EGATi pullout

Authorities in the central province of Quang Tri are evaluating a proposal from Power Generation JSC 1 (EVNGENCO 1), a subsidiary of state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), to take over the Quang Tri thermal power plant project, following the withdrawal of Thai investor EGATi.

Energy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 1:44 pm GMT+7

Amata to sell stakes worth $46 mln in Vietnam units to Novaland-tied buyers

Amata to sell stakes worth $46 mln in Vietnam units to Novaland-tied buyers

Amata VN, the Vietnam arm of Thailand’s leading industrial park developer Amata, has approved a plan for its subsidiary Amata City Long Thanh Urban JSC (ACLT) to sell its remaining 51% stakes in two entities to local developer Novaland-linked buyers.

Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 12:19 pm GMT+7

Vietnam already meets FTSE's criteria for stock market status upgrade: Finance Minister

Vietnam already meets FTSE's criteria for stock market status upgrade: Finance Minister

Vietnam has fulfilled the criteria for a stock market status upgrade by FTSE Russell through reforms aimed at facilitating foreign investment inflows into its market, said Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang.

Economy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:36 am GMT+7

Banks should be allowed to distribute, invest in mutual fund certificates: Vietnam's finance ministry

Banks should be allowed to distribute, invest in mutual fund certificates: Vietnam's finance ministry

The Ministry of Finance is proposing a key reform that would allow commercial banks to invest in and distribute mutual fund certificates, as part of a broader plan to restructure the investor base and foster the development of Vietnam’s fund management industry.

Finance - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

E-commerce boom a major driver of Vietnam's packaging paper industry growth

E-commerce boom a major driver of Vietnam's packaging paper industry growth

Vietnam's paper packaging industry is entering a period of strong growth, with an average annual growth rate forecasted at 10% until 2030.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7

Vietnam needs support from UK in developing international financial center: Deputy PM

Vietnam needs support from UK in developing international financial center: Deputy PM

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has called on the UK and the City of London to continue supporting and accompanying Vietnam in promoting and introducing its international financial center (IFC).

Finance - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7

Vietnam enforces 8% capital adequacy ratio for banks from Sept 15

Vietnam enforces 8% capital adequacy ratio for banks from Sept 15

Commercial banks and foreign bank branches in Vietnam must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 8%, including at least 4.5% in Tier 1 core capital and 6% in Tier 1 capital, starting from September 15.

Banking - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:04 pm GMT+7

Tool for wood traceability management debuts in Vietnam

Tool for wood traceability management debuts in Vietnam

The Vn-WoodID application has been officially launched in Vietnam, becoming a key tool contributing to wood traceability.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:00 pm GMT+7

Sun Group, US Embassy foster aviation-hospitality cooperation

Sun Group, US Embassy foster aviation-hospitality cooperation

Sun Group, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Vietnam, hosted the US – Vietnam Aviation Partnership Roundtable on September 12, bringing together 15 leading American corporations in aviation, technology, and financial services, opening up opportunities to position Phu Quoc as a new aviation and tourism hub in the region.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 9:54 pm GMT+7

Vietnam tops Thai giant SCG’s overseas markets with 9% revenue contribution in H1

Vietnam tops Thai giant SCG’s overseas markets with 9% revenue contribution in H1

Vietnam remained the largest overseas market for Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) in the first half of 2025, contributing 9% of consolidated sales.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 8:10 pm GMT+7

Central Vietnam to have new airport Mang Den

Central Vietnam to have new airport Mang Den

Procedures to adjust Vietnam's airport system planning, including the addition of Mang Den Airport in central Vietnam, are being proceeded, according to the Ministry of Construction.

Infrastructure - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 5:16 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's government seeks to position country as 'regulated hub for digital assets in Asia': Dragon Capital

Vietnam's government seeks to position country as 'regulated hub for digital assets in Asia': Dragon Capital

The Vietnamese Government has advanced the regulation of digital assets, with a resolution launching a five-year pilot framework for issuance and trading. This framework signals the Government’s intent to position the country as a regulated hub for digital assets in Asia, which could attract new capital inflows, write Dragon Capital analysts.

Economy - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 2:20 pm GMT+7

Agribank introduces sizable $4.17 bln preferential credit package

Agribank introduces sizable $4.17 bln preferential credit package

Right from the beginning of 2025, Agribank launched a substantial preferential credit package worth VND110 trillion ($4.17 billion) to support individual customers.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 1:32 pm GMT+7