Members of reactionary organisation stand trial for coup attempt

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on August 21 began a trial of 12 defendants for “activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration,” under Article 79 of the 1999 Penal Code. 
The defendants at the trial on August 21 (Photo: VNA)

The defendants at the trial on August 21 (Photo: VNA)

The defendants are Nguyen James Han, Phan Angel, Do Tai Nhan, Truong Nguyen Minh Tri, Vo Hoang Ngoc, Do Quoc Bao, Tran Tuan Tai, Tran Van Vinh, Tran Quang Vinh, Nguyen Hung Anh, Nguyen Van Chanh and Do Thi Thuy Dung.

They were members of a reactionary organisation known as “Chinh phu quoc gia Viet Nam lam thoi” (Provisional National Government of Vietnam) set up in the US in 1990 by Dao Minh Quan, a US national born in 1952 who used to serve in the army of the US-backed regime in South Vietnam before 1975.

Since late 2013, Quan, who proclaimed himself “prime minister”, and other key members have consolidated this organisation and carried out many propaganda plans to distort policies of the Vietnamese Party and State, developed their force in Vietnam and sent people from other countries to Vietnam to direct sabotage activities.

According to the indictment, Nguyen James Han (a Vietnamese expatriate in the US born in 1967) and Phan Angel (a US citizen born in 1956) were sent to Vietnam by Quan to develop force and direct other members in the country to conduct anti-State activities.

In March 2017, Dao Minh Quan directly assigned Nguyen James Han to return to Vietnam to conduct sabotage activities at celebrations of Vietnam’s National Reunification Day on April 30, 2017.

On March 28, 2017, Nguyen James Han entered Vietnam and contacted Phan Angel to disseminate Dao Minh Quan’s directions to other members in the country, namely Nguyen Quang Thanh, Ta Tan Loc, Tran Tuan Tai and Nguyen Hung Anh and discuss implementation plans.

Nguyen James Han and Phan Angel farmed out tasks to each person such as distributing leaflets, breaking into radio stations to broadcast information about their organisation, and protesting against Taiwanese steel maker Formosa.

However, most of these activities were uncovered and prevented by authorised agencies.

The indictment said those defendants actively took part in this organisation despite being well aware that the “Provisional National Government of Vietnam” organisation aims to abolish the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and overthrow the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

They were accused of inducing over 100 people to enter the organisation, write votes expressing their support for Dao Minh Quan to be president of the so-called 3rd Republic of Vietnam and involve in sabotage activities.

Aside from the aforementioned activities, the reactionary organisation used to carry out many armed terrorist plots in Vietnam, including setting fire to a warehouse storing motorcycles seized by police for traffic rule violations in Bien Hoa city in Dong Nai province. Its members also planted petrol bombs at Tan Son Nhat International Airport of Ho Chi Minh City in April 2017. 

Meanwhile, some members of the “Viet Nguyen Dynasty” organisation, separated from the “Provisional National Government of Vietnam”, bombed the police station of Ward 12 in Tan Binh district, HCM City, injuring three people.

The trial is scheduled to last until August 23.

VNA

Other News

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

The effectiveness of the Capital Law 2026 will be measured not by the number of legal documents issued but by tangible improvements in governance and public administration, better services for people and businesses, faster administrative procedures, stronger investment attraction and higher economic growth.

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Three teams from Chu Van An Secondary School in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen province have earned First Prize honours and advanced to the quarterfinals at the ROBOG Asia Cup 2026, a regional robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) competition for students held in Hong Kong, China.

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

As of early June, Hanoi had attracted 74.6 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) through more than 9,250 valid projects. FDI inflows in the first six months were projected at 3.2 billion USD, surpassing the annual target by 116%, while nearly 16,000 new businesses were established in the first five months, up 34.4% year-on-year.

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam’s development and international integration have gone hand in hand with the improvement of its legal system, the incorporation of international commitments into domestic legislation, and legal reforms aimed at fostering development, openness and global integration. The country regards international law as an essential instrument for building fair, mutually beneficial relations among nations.

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

At the event, Hanoi authorities plan to grant investment policy decisions and investment registration certificates to 20 exemplary projects in the fields of transportation infrastructure, industrial parks, urban development, social housing, environment, science and technology, and foreign investment attraction.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Vietnam, China, Laos and Myanmar face common challenges as drug syndicates increasingly exploit the Mekong River, cross-border transport networks, e-commerce platforms, international logistics services, cyberspace and cryptocurrencies to organise drug transactions and smuggling operations.