The Vietnam Human Rights Network (VNHRN) and Defend the Defenders (DtD) have condemned the arrest of author Nguyen Thanh Nam and others in connection with his book Chuyện với Thanh - Lời kể mới về ánh sáng (Conversations with Thanh – A New Perspective on Light), calling it part of a broader crackdown on freedom of expression in Vietnam. Nam, a former lecturer on Ho Chi Minh Thought at VinUniversity, was arrested in late June and charged under Article 117 of Vietnam's Penal Code with "conducting propaganda against the State." Authorities allege the book "distorts history and the guidelines and policies of the Party and State" and "insults" President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and other leaders.
According to VNHRN and DtD, Nam's arrest followed an online denunciation campaign by state-affiliated commentators, allegedly coordinated through the Communist Party's Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee. The groups drew parallels to the Nhan Van–Giai Pham campaign of the late 1950s, when many intellectuals were persecuted for independent views. The crackdown has reportedly extended to editors, printers, publishers, distributors, and promoters of the book, as well as members of the Vietnam Writers' Association facing disciplinary measures.
"The criminal prosecution of an author and those involved in publishing a literary work represents a serious assault on freedom of expression," the organizations said in a joint statement. "Peaceful discussion of history, public figures, and political ideas must never be treated as a criminal offense." They emphasized that Nam's writing and publication constitute peaceful expression, protected by Article 25 of Vietnam's Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Vietnam is a party.
The organizations have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Nam and all others detained, the dropping of all charges, an end to public intimidation campaigns, and compliance with international human rights standards. The case has drawn renewed attention to Vietnam's use of Article 117, which international human rights organizations have criticized as broadly worded and routinely used to imprison journalists, writers, and activists for exercising fundamental rights.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by writers and publishers in Vietnam, where state control over expression remains tight despite constitutional and treaty obligations. The international community has repeatedly urged Vietnam to reform its laws and practices, but cases like Nam's suggest that little has changed. The arrest also raises questions about the independence of the judiciary and the role of the Communist Party in suppressing dissent.
As VNHRN and DtD continue to advocate for Nam's release, the broader implications for freedom of expression in Vietnam remain a concern. The case serves as a reminder that in Vietnam, the line between legitimate criticism and state-defined propaganda can be dangerously thin. The international community's response to this case will be closely watched, as it may signal whether there is any meaningful pressure on Vietnam to uphold its commitments to human rights.
