On October 4, 2025, the Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam released a statement that sent shockwaves through both business and social media circles: Hoang Thi Huong, a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist from Phu Tho, had been officially prosecuted and detained for serious violations of accounting regulations. The case, which centers on the financial practices of Hoang Huong Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and a web of related businesses she founded and managed across Hanoi and other provinces, has not only sparked legal scrutiny but also ignited a storm of public debate and confusion online.
Huong, 38, is recognized as the driving force behind a sprawling network of companies and a high-profile online presence. Her businesses, especially in the dental and pharmaceutical fields, have amassed massive followings on social media. Fanpages like 'Hoang Huong Aesthetic Dentistry' (with 1.5 million followers), 'Hoang Huong International Dentistry' (a verified page with 2.3 million followers), and the personal 'Hoang Huong' page (boasting over 700,000 followers) have long been platforms for both her business promotions and frequent charity campaigns.
Yet, in the days following her arrest on October 1, 2025, these very platforms became the center of controversy. Despite Huong's detention, her fanpages continued to post videos and images of charity activities—showing her and her team distributing aid in flood-stricken Phu Tho and remote mountainous regions. These posts, often accompanied by captions like "Journey to the Central Highlands" or "The flood is so scary...", quickly went viral, drawing millions of views and hundreds of shares. Some elderly fans, in particular, found it hard to believe the news of her arrest, insisting that as long as she was "still doing charity on Facebook," the reports must be false.
This confusion was fueled by the timing and content of the posts. According to Tuoi Tre, all the videos and photos being shared were actually recorded well before Huong's arrest and the official launch of the investigation. For instance, footage of charity work in flooded Phu Tho dates back to 2024, when Huong and her team delivered aid to affected residents. Nonetheless, the continued stream of such content on social media led to widespread speculation and debate—was Huong somehow still active in her philanthropic efforts despite being behind bars?
Authorities have clarified that Huong remains in custody as the investigation unfolds. Alongside her, five other suspects—including close family members and company executives—have been prosecuted and detained. These include her brother-in-law Nguyen Hoai Nam (Director of Cavipha Co., Ltd.), her assistant Nguyen Thi Thoa (Director of K&B Trading and Investment Co., Ltd.), former marketing director Hoang Anh Dung, and treasurer Nguyen Duy Khanh. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Huong, the former chief accountant of Hoang Huong Pharmaceutical Company, has been prosecuted but faces only a travel ban rather than detention. All legal actions were set in motion from October 1, 2025, as reported by Nguoi Dua Tin.
The heart of the case lies in alleged "violations of accounting regulations causing serious consequences," a charge that, under Vietnamese law, can carry significant penalties. The investigation is focused on financial practices at Hoang Huong Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and other business entities founded and operated by Huong. The Ministry of Public Security has emphasized that the probe is ongoing and may expand as more evidence comes to light.
But the legal drama is just one side of the story. The online reaction has been intense and, at times, bewildering. Many of Huong's most loyal followers—particularly older individuals who have long tuned into her livestreams—remain skeptical of the official narrative. Their reasoning? They continue to see new videos of Huong engaged in charitable work, posted daily on her fanpages. This disconnect between digital perception and legal reality has prompted a flurry of commentary on Vietnamese social media, with some accusing the authorities of fabricating charges, while others express concern about the authenticity of the content being shared.
One reason for this confusion is the nature of Huong's online strategy. For years, she has leveraged social media not only to promote her businesses but also to cultivate a philanthropic image. Her livestreams often feature bold claims about her products, especially those targeting elderly customers. According to Tuoi Tre, Huong has promoted her mouthwash as a cure for bad breath "from previous lives to this one" and claimed her bone joint pills could "cure all bone diseases within one to two months." Such aggressive marketing, combined with regular charity drives, helped her brands build a devoted following—many of whom became repeat customers and ardent defenders online.
However, this marketing approach has also drawn criticism and regulatory scrutiny. In recent months, Vietnamese authorities have stepped up efforts to crack down on counterfeit and substandard goods, raising questions about the quality and efficacy of products sold under the Hoang Huong brand. After news of her prosecution broke, concerns about the actual benefits of her products intensified, with some users sharing their own experiences of disappointment and skepticism. "Many people have said the products do not work as advertised," reported Tuoi Tre. The ongoing investigation is expected to shed further light on these issues, as officials seek to determine whether consumer protection laws were violated alongside accounting regulations.
The reach of Huong's "ecosystem" is undeniable. Her businesses span dental care, pharmaceuticals, and other health products, with a nationwide presence. The fact that her companies continued to post charity content after her detention has led some to question who is managing the pages and to what end. Is it a calculated attempt to maintain public goodwill and customer loyalty in the face of scandal? Or simply a case of automated or pre-scheduled posts running their course? Either way, the impact on public opinion has been significant, with debates raging across Facebook, forums, and in everyday conversation.
For now, the Ministry of Public Security urges the public to await the results of the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the spectacle of Hoang Huong "doing charity on Facebook"—even as she sits in detention—serves as a striking example of how digital media can blur the lines between perception and reality. The case is a reminder of the power and pitfalls of social media in shaping reputations, especially in a rapidly digitizing society where images and narratives can persist long after the facts have changed.
As investigators dig deeper into both the financial and marketing practices of the Hoang Huong ecosystem, many are watching closely—not just for legal outcomes, but for what the case reveals about the intersection of business, charity, and the digital age in Vietnam.
