On 23/5, the People's Procuracy Region 3 announced it had approved the decision to prosecute Pham Ngoc Dung, director of the North Huong River Protection Forest Management Board, along with seven other defendants. They face charges of "abuse of power and position while performing official duties," under Article 356 of the Penal Code.

Pham Ngoc Dung, in a white shirt, during the search. *Van An*

The investigation revealed that in 2025, the North Huong River Protection Forest Management Board was assigned to implement four replacement forest planting and care projects. These projects covered a total area of 210 hectares and were funded with over VND 18.5 billion, managed by the Hue City Forest Protection and Development Fund.

Minh An Company secured all four construction packages for these projects. However, despite technical procedures mandating vegetation clearing, base fertilizer application, and hole filling before planting, the involved parties allegedly bypassed several crucial steps.

Investigators determined that Pham Ngoc Dung, along with several officials from the North Huong River Protection Forest Management Board and leaders of Minh An Company, falsely certified project acceptance and legalized documents. This allowed them to request the disbursement of 70% of the first-year forest planting funds, causing damages exceeding VND 750 million to the Hue City Forest Protection and Development Fund.

Vo Thanh