Vietnamese journalist Nguyen Hoang Vi allegedly assaulted while in police detention

Bangkok, March 23, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Vietnamese authorities to investigate the alleged assault and arbitrary detention of independent journalist Nguyen Hoang Vi by Ho Chi Minh City police and to hold those responsible to account.

On March 19, Vi was intercepted on the street by police while taking her child to school and transported to a Ho Chi Minh City police station, where she was held for more than 10 hours without being informed of the reason for her detention, according to the journalist, who communicated with CPJ via email, and news reports.

Vi was struck repeatedly on the head with a sandal by a police officer she identified as Nguyen Ba Duong, who made her sign a “stack” of printouts of journalism she had posted to her Facebook page, Vi and the media reports said. She was released without charge, according to the same sources.  

“Vietnamese authorities must immediately disclose why journalist Nguyen Hoang Vi was detained and investigate the officer who allegedly beat her inside a police station,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “This is a brazen attempt to silence a reporter through brute intimidation, and those responsible must face consequences.”

The harassment came shortly after Vi posted skeptical comments on social media about voting and voter registration cards ahead of recently held elections, which Vietnamese state media reported had a 99.79% turnout.

Vi, a former frequent contributor to independent Vietnamese media who now publishes on her social media channels, has previously been targeted for her reporting. In 2012, she was sexually assaulted by police while being questioned and detained over her reporting on jailed journalists and harassed activists.

The Ministry of Public Security, which oversees the national police, did not immediately reply to CPJ’s emailed request for comment. Vietnam is among the world’s worst jailers of journalists, with at least 17 behind bars, according to CPJ data.