Vietnam: the regime’s persecution of journalist Le Anh Hung continues — he now faces 20 years in jail

Having endured five years of imprisonment and torture for his journalism, Le Anh Hunghas not given up writing. His relentless persecution by the Vietnamese regime has not waned. The 53-year-old independent journalist has been formally charged with "propaganda against the state," a crime under Article 117 of the Penal Code carrying a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. He was arrested on 9 March whilst staying with a friend in central Vietnam and was subsequently transferred to a prison in the country's capital, Hanoi while awaiting further legal proceedings.

Le Anh Hung has published articles on a range of topics - including Vietnamese politics and society - on his personal blogand on independent online media outlets such as Thien Dan. The former Voice of America (VOA) contributor, reported for the US-based international broadcaster on corruption cases involving the ruling party in Vietnam.

As a result of his work, he had previously been imprisonedfrom 2018 to 2023 for "abusing democratic freedoms." In detention, he was subjected to torture, which notably involved being forcibly interned in a psychiatric facility where he underwent medical treatment without his consent, according to RSF information. He was also force-fed via a tube during a hunger strike. Relatives who were able to visit him reported that he was emaciated, physically weak and depressive. Upon his release, he stated that he was suffering from hearing loss in his left ear, most likely caused by blows received while in detention.

A draconian legal framework

Vietnam's legal framework is already one of the most repressive in the world. In practice, the 2016 Press Law bansthe creation of independent media outlets and requires existing outlets to "propagandise and disseminate" state policies.

What's more, the regime has a broad legislative arsenal at its disposal to crack down on all news professionals who might challenge its authority. Articles 117 and 331 of the Penal Code provide for severe custodial sentences - up to 20 years for the dissemination of "propaganda against the state" and up to seven years for "abusing democratic freedoms."

The case of Pham Doan Trang, laureate of the 2019 RSF Press Freedom Prize, has become a symbol of this repression: the journalist is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence for allegedly spreading "propaganda against the state" in retaliation for her reporting.

Since 2016, under the leadership of Communist Party Secretary General To Lam', more than 70 Vietnamese journalists have been imprisoned, often in life-threatening conditions. Twenty-nine of them are still behind bars. Vietnam ranks 173rd out of 180 countries and territories in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index.