Residents of Vinh Long province are still reeling from a tragic chain of events that began with a fatal road accident and spiraled into a high-profile criminal case involving grief, frustration, and ultimately, deadly violence. The story, as confirmed by multiple Vietnamese news outlets including Sputnik Vietnam and Tiền phong, has gripped the nation and raised urgent questions about the transparency and effectiveness of Vietnam’s justice system.
It all started on September 4, 2024, along Provincial Road 901 in Vinh Loi hamlet, Vinh Xuan commune. On that day, 14-year-old Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tran was struck and fatally injured by a truck driven by Nguyen Van Bao Trung. According to police reports cited by Sputnik Vietnam, Trung was overtaking another vehicle when the collision occurred, resulting in Tran’s immediate death at the scene. The initial investigation by Tra On district police concluded with a controversial decision: the case would not be prosecuted.
For Tran’s father, Nguyen Vinh Phuc, this decision was intolerable. Over the following months, Phuc filed repeated complaints, demanding a thorough investigation and accountability for his daughter’s death. Despite his persistence, he received what he considered unsatisfactory responses from authorities. The mounting frustration and sense of injustice took a toll, and on April 28, 2025, Phuc confronted Trung, shooting him before turning the gun on himself. Phuc died at the scene, while Trung survived with serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital. The incident shocked the local community and drew national attention to the handling of the original traffic accident.
Authorities moved quickly to address the aftermath. On May 2 and 3, 2025, the Supreme People’s Procuracy revoked all previous decisions related to the case and ordered a reinvestigation. The case files were transferred to Vinh Long Provincial Police for a fresh look. As reported by Sputnik Vietnam, this move was intended to ensure a comprehensive, impartial review of the facts and to restore public confidence in the legal process.
In the days that followed, transparency became a top priority. On May 5, 2025, an inter-agency working group, including police, prosecutors, and legal representatives for Tran’s family, met with the victim’s mother, Nguyen Thi Hien. The officials pledged that the new investigation would be conducted with utmost fairness and that any officers involved in the original handling of the case would not participate in the reinvestigation. This step was meant to guarantee the integrity of the process and address concerns of bias or negligence.
The next day, prosecutors from the Supreme People’s Procuracy visited the accident site in Vinh Xuan commune. They collected evidence, interviewed witnesses, and documented the scene to ensure that no detail was overlooked. The investigation’s scope expanded to include a review of the actions of officials who had previously managed the case, with an eye toward holding any responsible parties accountable.
On May 7, 2025, Vinh Long Provincial Police officially initiated criminal proceedings against Nguyen Van Bao Trung for “violating regulations on road traffic participation” under Article 260, Clause 1, of the 2015 Penal Code. By June 26, Trung was formally named as a suspect. The investigation did not stop there. Authorities ordered comprehensive psychological and physical assessments of Trung, as reported by Tiền phong. The results, released in late September, revealed that Trung had suffered a 90% bodily injury and, crucially, had lost the ability to recognize or control his behavior, classified as moderate cognitive and behavioral impairment.
Throughout the summer and into the fall, the case remained in the public eye. The Supreme People’s Procuracy in region 4 of Vinh Long province responded to requests from the victim’s family, providing necessary documentation and coordinating with investigative agencies to ensure the case was handled lawfully and transparently. On October 1, 2025, the Procuracy sent additional documents to support the ongoing investigation, further demonstrating the authorities’ commitment to a thorough review.
Meanwhile, the administrative side of the case was not ignored. The Vinh Long Provincial Police, according to Tiền phong, convened meetings to examine the roles and responsibilities of officials involved in the original investigation. The aim was to determine whether any individuals or groups had mishandled the case or failed to act appropriately. Disciplinary measures, if warranted, would be based on the findings of these internal reviews and the outcome of the reinvestigation.
The criminal case against Nguyen Vinh Phuc, who shot Trung and then committed suicide, was officially closed on September 30, 2025. The police cited Article 230, Clause 1 of the Penal Code, which allows for the suspension of investigations when the perpetrator has died. This legal closure, however, did not end the broader quest for accountability and justice in the eyes of Tran’s family and the public.
As of October 11, 2025, Vinh Long Provincial Police issued a formal statement confirming the status of both cases. The investigation into the original traffic accident continues, with the police awaiting further instructions from the Supreme People’s Procuracy based on the family’s criminal complaint. The authorities pledged to “base any future actions on the nature, extent, and responsibility of each individual involved,” promising to handle the matter in accordance with the law.
Throughout this ordeal, the family of Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tran has remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice. At every stage, they have called for clarity, transparency, and accountability—not only for their daughter’s untimely death but also for the systemic issues that may have contributed to the tragic escalation of events. Their struggle has shone a spotlight on the importance of due process and the need for robust safeguards against potential miscarriages of justice in Vietnam’s legal system.
As the investigation proceeds, the community in Vinh Long and observers across the country are watching closely. The outcome will not only determine the fate of those directly involved but could also set important precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future. For now, the hope remains that the lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to a more transparent, accountable, and compassionate system for all.