In a case that has sent shockwaves through international human rights circles, Vietnamese dissident Trinh Ba Phuong has been sentenced to an additional 11 years in prison for allegedly criticizing the ruling Communist Party while already incarcerated. The conviction, handed down by the People’s Court of Da Nang on Friday, September 26, 2025, brings Phuong’s total prison term to 21 years and has reignited concerns about Vietnam’s harsh repression of dissent.
Phuong, a 40-year-old campaigner known for his advocacy of human rights, land rights, and environmental protections, was already serving a 10-year sentence for spreading anti-state propaganda. According to The 88 Project, a group monitoring human rights abuses in Vietnam, the new conviction was based on a handwritten statement reportedly found in Phuong’s prison cell. The note read: “down with the Communist Party of Vietnam for violating human rights, down with the Communist court for wrongfully convicting me.”
Phuong has denied writing the statement, with opposition media and human rights groups echoing his claim. The 88 Project emphasized that Phuong’s case marks "the first instance of a Vietnamese political prisoner being prosecuted for their speech while already imprisoned." The group stated, "From the perspective of international law, Phuong was merely protesting human rights abuses by the Vietnamese government and his alleged wrongful conviction."
The conviction was not reported by Vietnamese state-run media, and attempts by international journalists to obtain comment from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have gone unanswered. The silence from official channels stands in stark contrast to the outcry from rights organizations and foreign observers.
Elaine Pearson, Asia director for Human Rights Watch, did not mince words about the implications. In an email to The Associated Press, she wrote, "At this time, while a senior European trade official is on a charm offensive in Hanoi, it is critical that concerned governments also raise concerns with the Vietnamese government about the crackdown on free expression and press for the release of activists like Trinh Ba Phuong detained for peaceful acts of free expression." Pearson’s comments highlight the awkward timing of the conviction, which coincided with high-level European Union trade talks in Hanoi.
The case has drawn international condemnation, with rights groups arguing that Vietnam is sending a chilling message to would-be critics. According to The 88 Project, authorities accused Phuong of "consistently having displayed a defiant and resentful attitude toward the communist regime" under Article 117 of Vietnam’s criminal code. The provision, critics say, is notoriously vague and has been routinely wielded to silence activists, journalists, and bloggers.
Phuong’s activism is rooted in personal experience. His parents were both imprisoned in 2014 for participating in protests, and he himself rose to prominence after documenting abuses during a January 2020 police raid in Dong Tam village. That incident, which left an elderly farmer and three police officers dead, became a flashpoint for debates on land rights and government accountability in Vietnam. Phuong’s report on the raid attracted international attention and, according to The 88 Project, likely contributed to his arrest later that year.
In 2021, Phuong was convicted of spreading propaganda against the state and began serving his initial 10-year sentence. Now, with the additional 11-year term, his prospects for release appear ever more distant. The latest conviction, as reported by opposition media and confirmed by rights monitors on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, is seen by many as emblematic of the Vietnamese government’s zero-tolerance approach to dissent.
Vietnamese authorities have long defended their use of criminal code provisions like Article 117 as necessary for maintaining national security and social order. However, critics argue that the language of the law is so broad that it enables the prosecution of peaceful expression and legitimate criticism of the government. As The 88 Project noted in its report, "Vietnam routinely uses vaguely worded criminal code provisions like Article 117 to silence activists, journalists, and bloggers."
International observers say Phuong’s case is especially troubling because it represents an escalation in the state’s tactics. While Vietnam has a history of prosecuting activists for public statements and online posts, this is reportedly the first time a political prisoner has faced prosecution for speech made while already behind bars. This move, rights groups warn, could set a dangerous precedent and further deter prisoners from speaking out about abuses they witness or endure.
The timing of the conviction has not gone unnoticed. As Human Rights Watch’s Pearson pointed out, the sentencing took place just as the European Union’s trade commissioner was in Hanoi, working to deepen economic ties with Vietnam. For some observers, this juxtaposition highlights the tension between economic engagement and human rights advocacy. "It is critical that concerned governments also raise concerns with the Vietnamese government about the crackdown on free expression," Pearson insisted.
Despite mounting international pressure, the Vietnamese government has shown little sign of softening its stance. State media’s refusal to report on Phuong’s conviction and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ silence suggest a deliberate effort to keep the case out of the public eye. Meanwhile, voices from the Vietnamese diaspora and international rights groups continue to draw attention to Phuong’s plight and the broader crackdown on dissent.
Phuong’s supporters argue that his only crime was to speak out against what he saw as injustices perpetrated by the state. The statement allegedly found in his cell, whether written by him or not, reflects sentiments shared by many Vietnamese activists who feel that the space for free expression in the country is rapidly shrinking. As The 88 Project put it, "Phuong’s case highlights Vietnam’s tight grip on dissent."
For now, Phuong remains behind bars, facing a total of 21 years in prison. His family, who have themselves endured imprisonment, continue to advocate for his release. Rights groups are calling on the international community, particularly those with economic and diplomatic ties to Vietnam, to speak out more forcefully on his behalf.
The broader question remains: will the global outcry over cases like Phuong’s be enough to pressure the Vietnamese government to ease its crackdown on dissent? Or will the authorities double down, emboldened by the lack of domestic coverage and the perceived benefits of international trade partnerships? For many observers, the answer will depend on the willingness of foreign governments to prioritize human rights alongside economic interests.
As the dust settles on Trinh Ba Phuong’s latest conviction, one thing is clear: the struggle for free expression in Vietnam is far from over, and the world is watching to see what happens next.