The trial, presided over by Judge Vu Quang Huy, Deputy Chief Justice of the Hanoi People's Court Criminal Division, is expected to last several days. Five prosecutors from the Hanoi People's Court will conduct the prosecution. More than 40 lawyers have registered to defend the 29 defendants.

The judging panel has also summoned five plaintiffs, including the former Management Boards for Investment and Construction of Traffic Works of Tuyen Quang, Quang Ninh, and Hanoi provinces; the former Management Board for Investment and Construction of Traffic and Agricultural Works of Bac Giang province; and the Vietnam Road Administration - Ministry of Construction.

Pham Thai Ha. Photo: Xuan Hoa

Mr. Ha is accused by the Supreme People's Procuracy of abusing his position and power to influence others for personal gain. In the same case, Le O Pich, former Vice Chairman of the former Bac Giang Provincial People's Committee, is accused of abusing his position and power while performing official duties.

The remaining 27 individuals are accused of violating bidding regulations with serious consequences. They include Nguyen Duy Hung, former Chairman of Thuan An Group; Tran Quang Anh, former General Director of Thuan An; Nguyen Khac Man, former Deputy General Director of Thuan An; Nguyen Van Thao, former Director of the former Bac Giang Project Management Board; Tran Viet Cuong, former Director of the former Tuyen Quang Project Management Board; and several defendants from the Vietnam Road Administration and the former Ministry of Transport.

>>List of 29 defendants

Mr. Ha is accused of using his close relationship with Nguyen Duy Hung to help and introduce Mr. Hung to secure construction projects in Bac Giang. In late December 2021, during a dinner with the Bac Giang Provincial Standing Committee at the National Assembly Chairman's residence, Mr. Ha introduced Mr. Hung to the Bac Giang Party Secretary.

The indictment alleges that Mr. Ha's introduction and influence "facilitated Thuan An's successful bids", indirectly leading to collusion between individuals at the Bac Giang Project Management Board, the design unit, and Thuan An, helping Thuan An win bid package number 7.

After Thuan An won the bid, Mr. Hung visited Mr. Ha's home and gave him 500 million VND as a thank-you gift. In addition, Mr. Hung gave Mr. Ha a total of 250 million VND on various holidays and Tet occasions.

Mr. Ha has voluntarily returned the entire amount he received.

Chairman Nguyen Duy Hung (white shirt) and subordinate Tran Anh Quang at the investigating agency. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

Former Chairman of Thuan An Group caused more than 120 billion VND in damages

According to the indictment, Mr. Hung exploited his close relationships with several "high-ranking officials in state agencies" during the bidding, award, and construction phases of projects in Bac Giang, Tuyen Quang, Quang Ninh, Hanoi, and the Ministry of Transport.

Specifically, Mr. Hung asked Mr. Ha to introduce him and intervene with provincial leaders and the Ministry of Transport to create favorable conditions for Thuan An Group to win bids and execute projects.

After the "path was cleared," Mr. Hung directly met with and requested leaders of the Provincial Party Committees, Provincial People's Committees, and units under the Ministry of Transport to instruct their subordinates to facilitate Thuan An's successful bids.

However, after winning the bids, Mr. Hung subcontracted the work to other companies, forming joint ventures with the Project Management Boards and colluding with them from the survey and design stages to the technical and cost estimation phases. This constitutes bid rigging to secure contracts.

The former Chairman of Thuan An is also accused of agreeing to pay a percentage of the contract value as "facilitation fees" to individuals responsible for directing and implementing the bid packages and projects. These individuals then instructed their subordinates to cooperate in carrying out illegal bidding practices. The violations by Mr. Hung and his accomplices caused more than 120 billion VND in damages to state assets.

Furthermore, Mr. Hung's actions led to numerous officials in the localities where the projects were implemented being prosecuted and disciplined, eroding public trust and causing outrage.

Thanh Lam