Hanoi police arrest 3 publishing executives over anti-state propaganda book case

The Investigation Security Agency under the Hanoi Department of Public Security on Tuesday evening prosecuted and placed in temporary detention Nguyen Thuy Hang, 50, director of the Writers’ Association Publishing House; Dao Ba Doan, 55, editor-in-chief of the publishing house; and Nguyen Van Yen, 64, head of its editorial board.

The arrests are linked to the publication of 'Chuyen voi Thanh – Loi ke moi ve anh sang,' written by Nguyen Thanh Nam.

According to investigators, the three suspects edited, revised, published, and promoted the book.

Investigators alleged that the suspects' actions constitute the offense of producing, disseminating, or propagating information, documents, or items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under Article 117 of Vietnam's Penal Code.

Investigators said the book distorts historical facts about Vietnam's revolutionary movements, the Party's guidelines and policies, and the state's laws and policies.

The book also insults late President Ho Chi Minh, late General Vo Nguyen Giap, and other Party and state leaders.

The above procedural decisions have been approved by the Hanoi People's Procuracy in accordance with the law.

As editor-in-chief of the Writers' Association Publishing House, Doan, together with Yen, was responsible for reviewing, editing, and revising the book's content.

From June to the end of September 2025, they read, edited, and revised the manuscript of ‘Chuyen voi Thanh – Loi ke moi ve anh sang.’

Speaking to Vietnam Television (VTV), Doan said that many passages had been removed during the review and editing process, but the published book still contains content he considered inappropriate.

He admitted that the book includes content affecting the image of Vietnam’s leaders, inaccurate historical details, and the author's erroneous assessments of the country and its leaders.

Yen also acknowledged that such errors should not have appeared in a book about Vietnam's revolutionary leaders.

According to VTV, the Writers' Association Publishing House signed a publishing cooperation contract with Nam in January 2026 to print and distribute the book.

Under the agreement, Nam paid VND1 billion (US$38,087) to the publishing house.

Of that amount, VND120 million ($4,570) was paid to three individuals who directly edited the manuscript, while nearly VND280 million ($10,664) was used for printing, promotion, and the book's launch event.

The remaining VND600 million (US$22,853) was kept in the publishing house’s cash fund. 

Doan told investigators that he received VND50 million ($1,903) from the publishing house's accountant and was told it was payment for overtime editing work.

Earlier, on July 7, the Hanoi Department of Public Security announced that investigators had prosecuted and arrested Nam and Tran Viet Anh on charges of producing, possessing, disseminating, or propagating information, documents, or items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

According to investigators, the case involves the book 'Chuyen voi Thanh – Loi ke moi ve anh sang' as well as multiple videos containing content violating Vietnamese law.

During questioning, Nam admitted that many of the book's contents were untrue, expressed remorse, and apologized to readers, according to investigators.

The Investigation Security Agency is continuing its investigation into the case and will handle those involved in accordance with the law.