Key facts
- Former politician Nguyen Sy Cuong was confirmed to be driving the car that caused a fatal traffic accident in Hanoi.
- The accident resulted in the death of 18-year-old Do Ngoc Phuong Thuy and injured her father.
- Authorities cleared Nguyen Sy Cuong of criminal liability after his confession and remedy of consequences, following a petition from the victim's family.
- Social media campaigns amplified calls for accountability and investigation into the incident.
- The Vietnamese government has warned against 'hostile forces' using the incident to incite unrest.
Authorities in Vietnam have confirmed that former politician Nguyen Sy Cuong was driving the BMW that fatally struck 18-year-old Do Ngoc Phuong Thuy and injured her father in Hanoi last May. The admission followed a year of public pressure and online campaigns by social media users, many identifying as Gen Z, demanding accountability for the incident.
Initial reports were sparse, leading to widespread speculation that the case was being suppressed due to the influence of powerful figures, including suggestions that Nguyen Sy Cuong, a former member of parliament, was protected due to his marriage to a current government minister. Social media platforms reportedly deleted posts related to the incident at the government's request.
In response to the growing online attention and pressure, state broadcaster Vietnam Television (VTV) aired an official statement confirming the details of the crash. Police and prosecution sources cited by VTV stated that Nguyen Sy Cuong had confessed and "actively and fully remedied the consequences of his actions." The victim's family subsequently submitted a petition to exempt him from prosecution, and he was cleared of all criminal liability. However, lawyers have raised questions about the due process of the proceedings.
The father of the victim, Do Viet Hung, appeared in the VTV broadcast, thanking internet users but stating the family was satisfied with the findings and asking for privacy, while also warning against 'reactionary elements.' A senior police official echoed this sentiment, suggesting that 'hostile forces' were attempting to use the incident to incite unrest and political discontent ahead of Vietnam's national holiday on September 2.
Despite government efforts to control online expression, public opinion has increasingly diverged from the official narrative, with young Vietnamese expressing discontent on various social issues. The government's response, including accusations of manipulation by 'anti-government' or 'reactionary' organizations, mirrors tactics used in other Asian countries facing youth-led movements against corruption and inequality.