Trial begins for misconducts at Vietnam Register

Some of the defendants at the trial on Thursday. The trial is presided over by Judge Huỳnh Văn Trực, with over 200 lawyers for the defence. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY  Two former directors of Vietnam Register are among 254 defendants being tried on multiple charges, including bribery, forgery of seals, embezzlement, and abuse of position and power.

The defendants pocketed over VNĐ40 billion (approximately US$1.58 million) in bribes.

On Thursday morning, the People’s Court of Hồ Chí Minh City opened the preliminary trial for the case that occurred at Vietnam Register and various local vehicle registration centres.

Trần Kỳ Hình, former Director of the Vietnam Register from January 2014 to July 2021, is charged with receiving bribes and abusing his position and power while performing official duties.

Đặng Việt Hà, former Director of the Vietnam Register from August 2021 to September 2022, along with 132 co-defendants, are charged with receiving bribes. One defendant, Đỗ Trung Học, aged 63 and a former Head of the Inland Waterway Ships Department at Vietnam Register, is being tried in absentia for receiving bribes.

The investigation revealed large-scale, systemic corruption in the state management of motor vehicle and inland waterway vessel registration, causing severe damage over a long period. Violations occurred at the Vietnam Register, various motor vehicle and inland waterway vessel registration centres, and the Motor Vehicle Inspection Department and Inland Waterway Ships Department in several localities.

The indictment from the People’s Procuracy of Hồ Chí Minh City states that although the officials were responsible for managing the quality, technical safety, labour safety, and environmental protection of vehicles, the leadership of the Vietnam Register, from departmental heads to registration centres, colluded to instruct registrars to accept bribes from vehicle owners and intermediaries to overlook violations.

Hình received over VNĐ7.1 billion ($280,000) from subordinates. After his retirement, Hà, his successor, received over VNĐ8.5 billion ($336,000) in bribes in just over a year.

In October 2022, when the police began investigating the registration units’ violations, Hà, fearing exposure, returned VNĐ5 billion ($197,000) to Trần Anh Quân, acting Head of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Department. Hà then asked Lại Thái Phong, former Deputy Chief of Office, to “monitor” the investigation at the registration centres.

Phong claimed he would ask Nguyễn Văn Chung, who had numerous connections with the police, to help.

Hà then asked Quân to retrieve the returned VNĐ5 billion ($197,000) and send it to Phong to deliver to Chung. However, Chung misappropriated the money instead of gathering information. After being arrested, Hà filed a complaint against Phong and Chung.

Judge Huỳnh Văn Trực will preside over the trial, which will involve over 200 lawyers on the defence team. 

Additionally, nearly 60 individuals and organisations, including victims and parties with related interests, are attending the trial.

Notable victims include the 73-01S Registration Centre (victim of embezzlement by former accountant Trương Thị Anh Vân), Đặng Việt Hà (victim of fraud by Nguyễn Văn Chung), and Huỳnh Văn Tiến, former Director of Tân Á Đông Company (victim of fraud by Nguyễn Thành Lê, former Director of Vietship Company).

The trial is conducted in person and online at two locations: the People’s Court of Hồ Chí Minh City and Chí Hòa Detention Centre (T30)—Hồ Chí Minh City Police.

According to Phạm Ngọc Duy, Chief of Office at the People’s Court of Hồ Chí Minh City, the court will summon relevant defendants to the main court when questioning related charges. Defendants in detention will follow the proceedings online from the T30 Detention Centre. Defendants on bail must attend the trial in person throughout its duration.

The trial is expected to last for three months. VNS