Society

First-instance trial for ex-deputy agriculture minister in bribery, bidding violations case

Of the 23 defendants, 13 are former officials from the ministry while others include leaders and staff from the Song Da 5 Company, the Irrigation Corporation No. 4, the Hoang Dan Company, and the Sao Vang HG Company.

Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang at the first-instance trial in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)
Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang at the first-instance trial in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Hanoi People’s Court on March 30 kicked off the first-instance trial of former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang and 22 others charged with bribery and violation of bidding and accounting rules that led to serious consequences to the State budget.

Of the 23 defendants, 13 are former officials from the ministry, including Thang (born in 1959). Others include leaders and staff from the Song Da 5 Company, the Irrigation Corporation No. 4, the Hoang Dan Company, and the Sao Vang HG Company.

Among them, three are released on bail while 19 held in custody. Notably, Nguyen Hai Thanh (born in 1964, former deputy director of the ministry's department for construction management and director of Board No. 4) is currently at large and wanted by the police.

At the opening session, defendant Le Quang The (born in 1954, former Chairman of the Irrigation Corporation No. 4) submitted a request for trial in absentia due to health reasons. After considering the opinions of prosecutors and defence lawyers, the trial panel approved the request, deciding to try The and Thanh in absentia.

According to the indictment by the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the case involves multiple large-scale irrigation projects, including Packages No. 13 and 17 of the Krong Pach Thuong Reservoir project in Dak Lak province, Package No. 36 of the Ban Mong Reservoir project in Nghe An province, Package No. 21 of the Ban Lai Reservoir project in Lang Son province, and Package No. 17 of the Canh Tang Reservoir project in Hoa Binh province.

During the bidding, winning and implementation of the above-mentioned projects, Nguyen Van Dan, Director of the Hoang Dan Company, allegedly exploited relationships with several officials of the then Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, including Thang and Tran To Nghi (former acting director of the department for construction management), to seek introductions and influence over leaders of project management and construction boards. He is accused of agreeing to pay percentage-based bribes in exchange for favourable conditions that helped his company win five bidding packages across the four projects, causing losses of over 250 billion VND (nearly 9.49 million USD at the current exchange rate) to the State.

In addition, during the construction process and business operations, Dan also instructed Bui Cao Nguyen, in charge of finance, and Vu Thi Kim Lien, Chief Accountant, to establish seven subsidiary companies and to create and operate two parallel accounting systems, causing losses of nearly 100 billion VND to the State.

As Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Thang is accused of receiving 4.54 billion VND in bribes from Dan. He allegedly instructed Nghi to facilitate the Hoang Dan Company’s winning of Package No. 36 of the Ban Mong Reservoir project, causing State losses of more than 51 billion VND.

The trial is scheduled to last for 10 days./.

VNA
#violation of bidding and accounting rules #Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development #reservoirs
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

The court hearing on January 14 (Photo: VNA)

Former food safety chief sentenced to 20 years for bribery

The court imposed the heaviest sentences on two former VFA directors, namely Nguyen Thanh Phong, who receive 20 years in prison, and Tran Viet Nga, who was sentenced to 15 years. Two former deputy directors, Nguyen Hung Long and Do Huu Tuan, were given 12 years and seven years, respectively.

Pham Tan Hoang, former Deputy Chief Justice of the High People’s Court in Da Nang (Source: tienphong.vn)

Former deputy chief justice of High People’s Court in Da Nang prosecuted for bribery

The Supreme People’s Procuracy has announced that its investigative agency has issued an indictment against Pham Tan Hoang, former Deputy Chief Justice of the High People’s Court in Da Nang (now the Appellate Court of the Supreme People’s Court in the city), on charges of “taking bribes” under Clause 2, Article 354 of the Penal Code.

See more

Dr Ton Thanh Tra, Director of Cho Ray–Phnom Penh Hospital, personally examines and performs an ultrasound for a critically ill patient, who was later admitted for free surgery at the hospital. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam delivers free medical care to communities in Cambodia

During the programme in Prey Veng, a team of 26 doctors and medical staff, equipped with modern medical equipment, provided check-ups and health consultations to 500 residents, including 250 people of Vietnamese origin and 250 Cambodian citizens.

Hanoi’s bus network covers 100% of communes and wards, with 155 routes in operation, including 128 subsidised ones. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi plans major bus network overhaul to accelerate green transition

Under the plan, Hanoi targets that by July 1, 2026, all buses operating within Ring Road 1 will use green energy (electricity or compressed natural gas – CNG). The policy will then be expanded to Ring Road 2 by January 1, 2028, and further extended to Ring Road 3 from 2030.

A view of the workshop on gender integration in Vietnam’s post-war mine action activities was held in Hanoi on March 30. (Photo: VNA)

Gender integration promoted in post-war mine action efforts

Commending Vietnam’s progress, Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of UNDP in Vietnam, highlighted that women contribute critical expertise in areas such as engineering, digital mapping, public governance and community leadership. Their involvement, she said, enhances the quality of mine action at every stage, improves data accuracy, and supports decision-making that reflects the needs of the entire community.

A standout moment of the “Hanoi binh yen” (Peaceful Hanoi) live concert on March 28 comes in the finale, when the entire venue goes dark in unison in support of Earth Hour. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam saves 463,000 kWh during Earth Hour 2026

Vietnam marked Earth Hour 2026 by saving an estimated 463,000 kWh of electricity, as households and businesses nationwide switched off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm on March 28, according to the National System and Market Operation Company (NSMO).

An oil tanker anchored off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: Middle East Eye/VNA)

Vietnam seeks priority passage for vessels through Strait of Hormuz

According to the administration, 19 vessels owned by Vietnamese enterprises are currently operating in the Middle East, including four flying the Vietnamese flag and 15 registered under foreign flags. Amid growing security concerns in the region, VIMAWA stressed the need for stronger coordination with relevant partners to safeguard maritime operations and crew safety.

On March 13, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology holds a conference to launch a pilot scheme on policies designed to promote the commercialisation and rapid application of research outcomes and intellectual property generated from the state budget into production and business activities. (Photo: VNA)

Bridging talent gap key to unlocking Vietnam’s IP potential: experts

Vietnam is moving to ease human resource bottlenecks in Intellectual Property (IP) valuation and unlock the commercial potential of IP assets, as an amended Intellectual Property Law taking effect on April 1 establishes a legal framework for valuing such assets, insiders said.

Foreign visitors at the event (Photo: VNA)

Night book festival livens up Ho Chi Minh City

Running from 6 pm to 10 pm, the event offers a vibrant cultural space for residents and visitors, featuring book exchanges, cultural discussions and interactive activities aimed at promoting reading and knowledge.

Professor, Doctor of Economics Georgy Davidovich Toloraya, Chief Research Fellow at the Centre for World Politics and Strategic Analysis under the Russian Academy of Sciences (Photo: VNA published)

Russian scholar sees Vietnam strengthening national security strategy

Professor, Doctor of Economics Georgy Davidovich Toloraya, Chief Research Fellow at the Centre for World Politics and Strategic Analysis under the Russian Academy of Sciences, highlighted the significance of the agreement with Russia’s Rosatom to build Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant, especially amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the global energy crisis.

Urban train has become a favourable travel solution for Hanoi's residents. (Photo: VNA)

Metro, buses, electric vehicles becoming top choice for Hainoians

For young people today, transport is no longer merely about moving from one place to another but also about comfort and emotional experience. Modern metro lines and smooth electric buses have largely met these expectations. Elevated metro stations with minimalist, contemporary designs have become popular “check-in” spots, while images of young commuters enjoying coffee and music as they overlook the city from train windows have become familiar on social media.

The Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations (DAFO) signs a new round of MoUs with foreign non-governmental organisations, mobilising pledged assistance worth about 2.79 million USD across various spheres. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang secures 2.79 million USD in international NGO aid

As part of the 2026–2030 foreign NGO aid mobilisation plan, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations formalised cooperation with six partners, including Habitat for Humanity International and the Social Assistance Program for Vietnam (US); Korea Food for the Hungry International and Share Sarangbat (Republic of Korea); Activity International (the Netherlands); and Catalyste+ (Canada).

Nguyen Canh Binh, Chairman of Alpha Books, shares his views at the Vietnam Digital Publishing Summit 2025 (DPS 2025) with the theme "The Future of Publishing in a Global Digital Age". (Photo: VNA).

Publishing sector accelerates digital ecosystem development

According to the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution, the country currently has 52 publishing houses. In 2025, the industry produced more than 51,000 publications, with around 543 million copies and online accesses, generating total revenue of over 4.1 trillion VND (nearly 155.64 million USD).