Vietnam arrests publishers of book on Communist Party founder

Vietnamese police have arrested three executives from the Vietnam Writers' Association Publishing House in connection with a book about the nation's Communist Party founder, Ho Chi Minh. The arrests follow the earlier detention of the author, Nguyen Thanh Nam, and an influencer who promoted the book.

The book, titled "Stories with Thanh - A New Account of Light," reportedly recounts Ho Chi Minh's time abroad seeking national liberation. Authorities have pressured the publisher to recall the book. The arrested executives, including the director, editor-in-chief, and head of the editorial board, are accused of editing, publishing, and promoting content that "distorts the history of the revolutions, the policies and guidelines of the party and state."

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All three were involved in editing, revising, publishing, and promoting the book ... which distorts the history of the revolutions, the policies and guidelines of the party and state.

They face charges of "producing, possessing, distributing or disseminating information, documents or items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam." This charge carries severe penalties in a country where dissent is tightly controlled. The author, Nguyen Thanh Nam, had previously apologized on television for perceived factual errors and assertions that tarnished Ho Chi Minh's image and confused the public.

In addition to the arrests, Vietnam's culture ministry has sanctioned 23 news outlets for publishing articles that praised the book. These outlets have paid fines totaling nearly US$2,500, and over a dozen staff members involved have faced reassignment, suspension, or dismissal. The ministry stated the press agencies acknowledged their errors and understood the importance of source verification.

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I acknowledge the presence of factual errors and false assertions that run counter to the guidelines and policies of the party and state, tarnishing the image of President Ho Chi Minh, causing confusion among the public.