The Vietnam Human Rights Network has announced that three imprisoned Vietnamese activists—Phan Tat Thanh, Nguyen Chi Tuyen, and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh—will receive the 2025 Vietnam Human Rights Award for their courageous efforts to promote human rights in Vietnam. The award, established in 2002, recognizes individuals and organizations with outstanding achievements in defending the rights of the Vietnamese people.
Phan Tat Thanh, 39, was the administrator of the Facebook page Nhat Ky Yeu Nuoc (Patriotic Diary), which had over 200,000 members. He was arrested on July 13, 2023, on charges of "propaganda against the State" for posting about human rights violations, environmental pollution, corruption, and China's territorial encroachment. During detention, he allegedly endured physical and mental abuse. In a trial on May 8, 2024, he was sentenced to eight years in prison and three years of probation. He refused to appeal, stating he did not trust the judicial system. He is currently held at Xuan Loc Prison in Dong Nai Province.
Nguyen Chi Tuyen, 51, co-founded the "No U" group in 2007, which opposes China's maritime claims. He was active on social media, defending persecuted activists and criticizing the government. He was arrested on February 29, 2024, and on August 15, 2024, received a five-year sentence for "propaganda against the State." Before his trial, he stated, "I can absolutely choose my own safety if I ignore the country's problems. But as a citizen, I cannot help but be responsible for my country." He is now at Prison No. 6 in Nghe An Province.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, 49, a former math teacher, founded the Constitution Group in 2018 to promote constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. The group used social media to discuss official violations and participated in protests against the Law on Special Economic Zones and the Cyber Security Law in June 2018. She was abducted on September 3, 2018, and held in solitary confinement for nearly two years before trial. On July 31, 2020, she was sentenced to eight years for "Disruption of security," the highest among eight defendants. She is incarcerated at An Phuoc prison in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Vietnam Human Rights Network, which has honored 63 individuals and six organizations since its inception, will hold the award ceremony on December 7, 2025, in Montreal, Canada, in cooperation with the Vietnamese Community of Montreal. The network's mission is to defend human rights as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. More information is available at https://www.vietnamhumanrights.net.
This year's award underscores the ongoing repression of activists in Vietnam and the international community's recognition of their sacrifice. The honorees' cases highlight systemic issues within Vietnam's judicial and penal systems, drawing attention to the need for reform.
