Vu Quang Chien, 67, was recently indicted by the Hanoi People's Procuracy for murder. Chien has a criminal history, serving three prison sentences for gambling and illegal drug trafficking, and receiving administrative penalties for extortion and intentional injury.
The Procuracy determined that Chien and crime boss Nguyen Thi Hanh, known as Hanh "Su," had been friends for 30 years. In 2015, Chien introduced a friend from Hai Phong to borrow money from Hanh. As Hanh "Su" only knew Chien, he became responsible for the loan.
In mid-2022, Hanh "Su" informed Chien that his friend still owed her 11 billion VND. The friend from Hai Phong confirmed the debt but subsequently fled, avoiding both Chien and Hanh to evade repayment.
Of the 11 billion VND Hanh "Su" lent, 800 million VND belonged to Mr. Sang, a resident of Hoai Duc.
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Hanh "Su" upon her arrest in 7/2025 in an extortion case. Ngoc Bich |
Hanh "Su" upon her arrest in 7/2025 in an extortion case. Ngoc Bich
Mr. Sang subsequently sought out Chien for clarification. On the afternoon of 15/5/2023, while Chien was drinking beer on Doi Can street in Hanoi, Mr. Sang arranged to meet him. Chien returned home, retrieved a loaded gun with six bullets, concealed it in his pocket, and then waited. Mr. Sang arrived with three acquaintances.
Around 2 PM, Mr. Sang's group arrived at the beer establishment and questioned Chien about the debt, but he remained silent. When Mr. Sang said, "If you owe Hanh money, arrange to pay it back," Chien became enraged, stood up, drew his gun, pointed it at Mr. Sang, cursed, and declared, "There's only a corpse left, no money."
Seeing this, one person from Mr. Sang's group lunged forward, embracing and pinning Chien to the ground. Simultaneously, two of Chien's associates rushed over: Nguyen Van Loi, carrying a gun, and an unidentified individual, holding a three-section iron staff.
Chien yelled, "Kill them!" During the struggle, he fired his gun, shooting the person restraining him in the abdomen. The victim was then repeatedly struck in the head and face with an iron staff by Chien's two companions, collapsing onto the street with 28% injuries.
After the assault, Chien's group fled. Two years and four months later, Chien was apprehended in Thai Binh. He confessed to purchasing the gun in 2017 for 35 million VND while conducting business in the Tay Ninh - Cambodia border region.
Nguyen Van Loi remains at large. The identity of the other individual is still unknown, and the investigating agency continues to clarify this.
The Hanoi People's Court is expected to try the case in the near future.
Hanh "Su" was once an associate of notorious crime boss Nam Cam. She held significant influence within the criminal underworld in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City in the early 2000s, accumulating numerous previous convictions and records for fraud, disturbing public order, and resisting public officials. In 7/2025, Hanh "Su" and four other suspects were arrested on charges of extortion.
By Hai Thu
