On 20/1, Vinh, 42, was sentenced by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court to 20 years in prison for murder; he was also ordered to pay over 1.5 billion VND in total compensation to two victims.

"The defendant's criminal act involved cruel methods, requiring a severe sentence," the jury stated. As the defendant committed an uncompleted offense, the court applied the maximum fixed-term imprisonment under Article 57 of the Penal Code.

Nguyen Kim Vinh at court today. Photo: Hai Duyen

**Successive brutal attacks**

The indictment determined that in mid-2019, Nguyen Kim Vinh worked as a press operator at a company in the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, District 7. Due to frequently failing to complete products on schedule, Vinh was repeatedly reminded and reprimanded by Mr. Tuan, his team leader, which led him to plan revenge using acid.

To execute his plan, on 21/10/2019, he took leave, borrowed a colleague's motorbike, and went to Kim Bien market to buy a bottle of acid for 30,000 VND. On his way back, he purchased a plastic container for it.

That evening, Vinh brought the acid to the Huynh Tan Phat street area, near the company, waiting for Mr. Tuan to finish his shift. Around 10 p.m., when he saw the team leader driving by, Vinh followed him to Tan Phu ward, District 7, then overtook him and splashed acid directly onto the victim's face before fleeing. Mr. Tuan was rushed to Cho Ray Hospital, suffering 95% body damage.

Six months later, in 5/2021, Vinh started working at another company, also within the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone. His poor work performance again led to reprimands from Mr. Huy, the deputy team leader, fueling his resentment. On 22/12/2021, Vinh went to Kim Bien market, bought acid, and took it back to his rented room. The following evening, as Mr. Huy drove on a deserted section of Tan Thuan street, Vinh overtook him, splashed acid on his face, and escaped. Mr. Huy sustained 50% injuries.

Similarly, in 5/2022 and 8/2022, after being reminded by Mr. Hieu, the workshop team leader, and Mr. Minh, the foreman, for slow work, Vinh again bought acid, ambushed these two individuals, and splashed them before escaping. As a result, Mr. Hieu suffered 30% body damage; Mr. Minh sustained 50% damage and lost sight in one eye.

On 19/11/2022, Vinh was arrested. During the investigation, the defendant admitted to attacking the four victims, identified the acid purchase locations, and surrendered related evidence.

**Recanted testimony**

At court today, Vinh denied all previous statements made to the investigative agency, claiming he had no conflict with the victims and did not splash acid on them. The defendant stated he was "coerced and tortured" into signing the statements, but provided no evidence for this claim.

Of the four victims present in court, only two requested compensation from the defendant. They maintained their statements from the previous court appearance in 2/2025.

According to the jury, during the investigation, the defendant identified the crime scenes as well as the acid vendor and recognized the shop owner. Additionally, forensic conclusions confirmed that the injuries on the defendant's and victims' bodies were caused by acid.

Regarding Vinh's claim of coercion, the jury found no basis, noting that the defendant also admitted his criminal acts in statements made with his lawyer present. In court, the defendant appeared fully coherent, providing no grounds for a mental health assessment.