HANOI: In a dramatic turn of events, more than a dozen Vietnamese officials began their trial in Hanoi on Tuesday, December 24, as part of a sweeping corruption investigation linked to repatriation flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scandal has already seen 54 individuals—including officials and businesspeople—convicted last year.

The case reflects a vigorous anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by the Vietnamese government, resulting in unprecedented political upheaval. Notably, the scandal led to the resignations of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and two deputy prime ministers, marking a significant shift in Vietnam's usually stable political landscape.

Among those previously sentenced, four high-ranking officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, health, and public security received life sentences for their involvement in this extensive bribery network, which allegedly amassed a staggering US$9.5 million in corrupt payments.

On Tuesday, 17 more defendants stood trial facing serious charges, including bribery, abuse of power, and obstruction of justice. The accused include officials from the Ministry of Transport and provincial governments, along with employees from various travel companies.

Testimonies from the proceedings revealed shocking details about the extent of corruption. Tran Tung, a former official from the northern Thai Nguyen province, confessed to accepting around US$300,000 in bribes while arranging quarantine facilities. He admitted in court, “I did it as I saw a chance to earn money and benefit myself.”

This trial is expected to unfold over the next week, underscoring how systemic corruption infiltrated one of the most critical periods in recent history. During the early pandemic, as Vietnam closed its borders to all but its own returning citizens, complications arose regarding entry procedures, exorbitant flight costs, and mandatory quarantine fees. Stories circulated about desperate attempts by families to bring loved ones home; for example, one mother shared that she spent over US$10,000 to secure her teenage daughter's return from a European boarding school.

The revelations of graft and corruption within Vietnam's COVID-19 response have sparked outrage and intensified calls for accountability. The National Assembly was forced to act, resulting in the dismissal of key leaders, including former foreign affairs minister Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam, who was in charge of the pandemic response.

This ongoing trial and the broader investigation signal Vietnam's commitment to tackling corruption head-on, a strategy that could both reshape the political landscape and restore public trust. The implications of this case may extend far beyond the courtroom, influencing how political decisions are made in the future. Stay tuned as this story develops!