On 24/9, the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City accepted Chung Vy Hung's (42, a Vietnamese American) lawsuit, granting him full custody of his 12-year-old daughter.
The court noted that Thu (37), the girl's mother, was again absent without explanation. Evidence presented demonstrated her unemployment and lack of income. During the eight years she lived with her daughter, Thu exhibited unstable mental health (according to an evaluation), frequently yelling, cursing, and denying the child proper food and hygiene. Court documents revealed the girl had twice sought police assistance.
The girl expressed her desire to live with her father. Hung has stable employment and income. Since the initial custody arrangement granting Thu custody after their 2016 divorce, Hung has consistently fulfilled his child support obligations.
"Therefore, granting Mr. Hung custody is in the best interest of the child," the court stated.
Hung was absent from the court proceedings, but his lawyer, Tran Dinh Phuc, presented his case. Hung and Thu married in 2012 and divorced in 2016 due to irreconcilable differences. The initial court decision granted Thu custody of their then 3-year-old daughter, with Hung paying 10 million VND monthly in child support. Hung consistently met these obligations and even provided additional funds at his ex-wife's request.
However, Thu's behavior during her custody period raised serious concerns, including alleged verbal and physical abuse, failure to pay school fees, and preventing the child from attending school or providing inconsistent transportation.
According to Phuc, these actions not only violated Thu's parental responsibilities but also negatively impacted the child's well-being.
In 2023, after the girl sought help from local police regarding the alleged abuse, she was temporarily placed in Hung's care. Since then, Hung has not required any assistance from his ex-wife.
Living with her father and paternal grandparents, the girl has received proper care, returned to school, and expressed a strong desire to remain in their custody.
"She clearly feels safe, cared for, and happy," Phuc said, requesting the court grant Hung custody.
Chung Quoc Tinh, Hung's father, also attended the hearing. He confirmed his stable income from his pension, homeownership in Cau Ong Lanh ward, and ability to support his son in raising his granddaughter.
Court documents detailed the September 2023 incident where the then 10-year-old girl ran to the Cau Ong Lanh ward police station (formerly District 1), crying and distressed. The police referred the case to local authorities in Thu's and the girl's residential area. To ensure the girl's safety, authorities temporarily separated her from her mother for 15 days. Due to Hung's medical treatment abroad at the time, the girl was placed with her paternal grandparents.
Upon learning of his granddaughter's plight while undergoing treatment in the US, Tinh filed a lawsuit against his former daughter-in-law to seek custody.
In April, after his health stabilized, Hung filed a motion to modify the custody arrangement.
Hai Duyen
*The mother's name has been changed.
