Vietnam labor minister faces disciplinary action for bidding violations

By Tri Duc
Fri, March 8, 2024 | 8:34 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's Central Inspection Commission has proposed disciplining Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung for his involvement in the Advanced International JSC (AIC)-related bidding scam.

In a Friday announcement, the commission said that Dung, also a Party Central Committee member, "committed violations to the point that he must be disciplined".

It also noted that the Party delegation of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) for the 2016-2021 and 2011-2016 tenures violated democratic centralism rules and working regulations, while showing lackluster responsibility and leadership.

"This resulted in some individuals and organizations violating Party regulations and State laws related to vocational training and bidding packages implemented by AIC and the company's ecosystem.

Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung. Photo courtesy of the ministry.

Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung. Photo courtesy of the ministry.

Other violators include Pham Thi Hai Chuyen, a former Party Central Committee member and former minister; former deputy ministers Nguyen Ngoc Phi, Huynh Van Ti, Doan Mau Diep, and Le Quan; head of the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET) Truong Anh Dung; and former DVET heads Duong Duc Lan and Nguyen Hong Minh.

The Central Inspection Commission also announced violations related to the People’s Court of Kon Tum province, Phu Yen province, Gia Lai province, Ha Giang province, and the Ministry of Justice.

Over the past two years, AIC has been investigated for bidding violations in units and localities. In January 2024, Nguyen Nhan Chien, former chief of Bac Ninh province's Party Committee, was arrested for accepting bribes in a bidding scam related to AIC.

In December 2023, many AIC leaders and staff members were accused of wrongdoing in a case that occurred at the Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Center (VNCERT) under the Ministry of Information and Communications.

In 2022, the police launched investigations into AIC-related violations occurring at Dong Nai General Hospital, Quang Ninh province's Department of Health, and the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center.

AIC chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan has been accused of wrongdoings in five cases but is on the run. An international arrest warrant for her was issued, and she was tried in absentia in some cases.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Vietnam officially grants visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners

Vietnam officially grants visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners

The Vietnamese Government has introduced a limited-term visa waiver scheme for foreign nationals who are "prioritized for the sake of the country’s socio-economic development".

Politics - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 11:32 am GMT+7

VinEnergo launches rooftop solar, battery storage projects in central Vietnam

VinEnergo launches rooftop solar, battery storage projects in central Vietnam

VinEnergo Energy Joint Stock Company has signed MoUs to install rooftop solar power systems integrated with battery energy storage systems (BESS) with the VinFast automobile plant and two battery factories in the central province of Ha Tinh.

Companies - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:21 am GMT+7

Indonesia doubles lithium imports to boost EV battery production

Indonesia doubles lithium imports to boost EV battery production

Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realize its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.

Southeast Asia - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:18 am GMT+7

Optimism rises for Thailand’s economy after US tariff cut

Optimism rises for Thailand’s economy after US tariff cut

Thailand’s private sector has lifted its 2025 GDP growth forecast to 1.8-2.2%, up from the previous 1.5-2%, following the U.S. decision to reduce import tariffs on Thai goods from 36% to 19%.

Southeast Asia - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:16 am GMT+7

Foreign investors make up 4.27% of Vietnamese G-bonds trading value in July

Foreign investors make up 4.27% of Vietnamese G-bonds trading value in July

Foreign investors accounted for 4.27% of the total trading value of Vietnamese government bonds (G-bonds) in July, with net buying at VND298 billion (nearly 11.4 million).

Finance - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:08 am GMT+7

Vietnam developer Taseco Land plans private share placement following HCMC bourse debut

Vietnam developer Taseco Land plans private share placement following HCMC bourse debut

Shortly after its listing on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) as TAL, Taseco Land, a subsidiary of Vietnam’s conglomerate Taseco Group, is seeking shareholder approval for a private share placement targeted at professional investors.

Companies - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Vietnam aims to finalize negotiations for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant by August

Vietnam aims to finalize negotiations for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant by August

The Vietnamese government targets completing negotiations for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in former Ninh Thuan province (now Khanh Hoa) by August 2025, and for Ninh Thuan 2 by May 2026 at the latest.

Energy - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 4:18 pm GMT+7

Software giant SAP invests $175 ml in R&D center in Vietnam

Software giant SAP invests $175 ml in R&D center in Vietnam

German software heavyweight SAP has officially launched a research & development center in Vietnam, with plans to invest more than €150 million ($175 million) over the next five years.

Industries - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 3:43 pm GMT+7

Carlsberg’s Phu Bai Brewery expansion in central Vietnam set to start brewing late this month

Carlsberg’s Phu Bai Brewery expansion in central Vietnam set to start brewing late this month

The expansion of Carlsberg’s brewery in Hue city, central Vietnam, with an investment of nearly $90 million, has entered trial runs and is scheduled to be inaugurated and begin full-scale production in late August.

Industries - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 2:43 pm GMT+7

Indonesia promotes nickel-based EV battery production

Indonesia promotes nickel-based EV battery production

Indonesia is advocating regulations to encourage electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to switch from the commonly used lithium-based batteries to nickel-based ones.

Southeast Asia - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 1:54 pm GMT+7

BRICS countries account for over 35% of Malaysia’s total foreign trade turnover

BRICS countries account for over 35% of Malaysia’s total foreign trade turnover

Malaysia’s trade with BRICS nations climbed to RM818 billion ($193.47 billion) in 2024, making up 35.2% of the country’s total global trade, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

Southeast Asia - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 1:52 pm GMT+7

Vietnam consumer finance major F88’s stock hits ceiling price on UPCoM debut

Vietnam consumer finance major F88’s stock hits ceiling price on UPCoM debut

The stock of F88 Investment JSC (F88), a leading consumer finance company in Vietnam, hit its ceiling price of VND888,800 ($34) on Friday, the first day of trading on the Unlisted Public Companies Market (UPCoM).

Companies - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 1:32 pm GMT+7

US tariff unlikely to dent Vietnam’s long-term FDI appeal: broker

US tariff unlikely to dent Vietnam’s long-term FDI appeal: broker

The U.S. tariff gap between Vietnamese goods and those from four other Southeast Asian countries would not erode Vietnam’s competitive edge in manufacturing and investment, said Hanoi-based Vietcombank Securities (VCBS).

Economy - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 12:24 pm GMT+7

Land clearance for Vietnam's North-South high-speed railway project to start on December 19

Land clearance for Vietnam's North-South high-speed railway project to start on December 19

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested localities to start land clearance en masse for the gigantic North-South high-speed railway project on December 19.

Economy - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 11:52 am GMT+7

Vietnam might launch pilot digital asset exchange in August

Vietnam might launch pilot digital asset exchange in August

A digital asset exchange might be launched in August on a pilot basis, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi told a government press meeting on Thursday.

Finance - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 11:25 am GMT+7

Vietnam’s steel giant Hoa Sen spends $34 mln on land near Long Thanh airport for urban development

Vietnam’s steel giant Hoa Sen spends $34 mln on land near Long Thanh airport for urban development

Hoa Sen Group (HoSE: HSG), Vietnam’s top producer of coated steel products, has spent VND900 billion ($34.3 million) acquiring land for a major urban development project in the southern province of Dong Nai.

Real Estate - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 8:22 am GMT+7