Renowned Vietnamese fashion designer Nguyen Cong Tri arrested in drug scandal

The investigation is ongoing, focusing on a drug purchase and usage ring involving several individuals, including Tri.

On June 12, officers from the anti-drug unit conducted an inspection at a residence on Lac Long Quan Street in Ho Chi Minh City.

They apprehended Nguyen Quoc Trung, 34, for possessing and distributing cannabis and cocaine.

Trung confessed to buying and selling these substances via Telegram and Signal, using intermediary bank accounts for payments.

Further investigations revealed the involvement of additional suspects Phung Vinh Lam and Bui Cong Thinh, who acted as couriers, Nguyen Duc Trung, who resold drugs, and Cao Thanh Xuan Thao, who used cannabis.

The investigation later uncovered that designer Nguyen Cong Tri and Tran Phu Long had used illegal drugs together on the evening of June 23 at Long’s private residence in Tan Hung Ward.

Police found numerous items in their homes suspected to be the tools for them to use drugs.

Ho Chi Minh City police officers are finalizing documentation to press charges.

Born in 1978 in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, Nguyen Cong Tri graduated in industrial fine arts from the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City.

He began his career designing album covers in the late 1990s and later transitioned to fashion after meeting designer Minh Hanh.

Tri has received multiple awards and is regarded as a leading figure in Vietnamese fashion, serving as a board member of the Asian Fashion Federation, VnExpress reported.

He was one of the first Vietnamese designers to pursue haute couture and tailored bespoke styles for celebrities in Vietnam and abroad.

His creations have been worn by international stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Adele, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, Rihanna, Katy Perry, and BLACKPINK's Lisa.

On July 20, Cong Tri's official Facebook page featured U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles wearing one of his designs at the 2025 ESPY Awards in California.

Earlier, on July 15, the page posted photos of Chinese artist Jane Zhang in Tri's off-shoulder brown gown at a major event.

Over the past few years, his creations have appeared on numerous red carpets, magazine covers, and music videos.

In 2019, US Magazine described his autumn-winter collection as addictive on the red carpet when worn by international celebrities.

For the first time, his garment prices were publicly reported in detail, fetching from US$6,500 to $15,800.

Highlighted pieces include a $15,800 yellow gown worn by Kate Bosworth at an Oscar after-party in 2019 and a $14,600 golden dress worn by Issa Rae at an event in the U.S. in the same year.

A gray sheer dress worn by model Josephine Skriver was priced at $8,800.

In 2021, BLACKPINK's Rosé wore his design worth $12,000 in the music video 'On the Ground,' and another embellished feather dress valued at $26,000 appeared in her music video 'Gone,' according to news site Dan Tri.

As of Wednesday, Cong Tri’s personal Facebook page was inaccessible, although his official fan page 'Cong Tri' remains active.