The former director of Vietnam’s Food Administration, Nguyen Thanh Phong, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for accepting bribes. The verdict was delivered at a court hearing in Hanoi, where Phong was found guilty of participating in a widespread corruption scheme involving numerous officials within the food safety department.
In addition to Phong, another former director, Tran Viet Nga, received a 15-year sentence. The court’s decision impacted a total of 55 defendants, including 34 officials from the food agency who were implicated in accepting bribes, and 21 individuals charged with offering them.
According to local media reports, Phong reportedly collected nearly 95 billion Vietnamese Dong (approximately $3.6 million), while Nga received more than 12.7 billion VND (around $483,000). The defendants also personally profited from these transactions, with Phong accepting an estimated 43.9 billion VND (about $1.7 million) and Nga benefiting by over 8 billion VND (approximately $304,000).
Details of the Corruption Scheme
The bribery case spanned from 2018 to 2025, involving officials from the Ministry of Health’s food safety department and various businesses across the country. Reports indicate that officials were offered money in exchange for expedited processing of essential permits, such as product registration certificates and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificates.
The court emphasized that the actions of the defendants severely undermined the integrity of public institutions and eroded consumer trust in state agencies. This corruption was noted as a potential factor in the circulation of substandard food products, posing a direct risk to public health.
Other notable sentences included Nguyen Hung Long, the former deputy director of the food safety department, who received 12 years in prison. Do Huu Tuan was sentenced to seven years, while Le Hoang, deputy director in the Disease Prevention Department, received five years. Additional defendants, including Dinh Quang Minh and Pham Van Hinh, received sentences ranging from four to nine years.
Broader Implications of the Verdict
The extensive sentencing reflects the government’s commitment to combating corruption within its ranks. The judiciary’s stance sends a strong message about the need for transparency and accountability in public service sectors.
Some defendants, such as Tran Thi Hong Nhung, Tran Thi Tuyet, and Nguyen Nam Tien, had their respective sentences of 30 months suspended, indicating varying degrees of culpability among the accused.
The fallout from this case underscores the critical importance of maintaining rigorous standards in food safety and regulatory practices to safeguard public health and ensure consumer confidence in the food supply.