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

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.