On 11/6, Hoang Thanh Long, 58, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Hanoi People's Court for attempted murder.

Defendant Hoang Thanh Long in court. Photo: Danh Lam

In 2025, Long was in a relationship with Ms. Huong, living together as husband and wife locally.

The dispute stemmed from Ms. Huong's divorce 12 years prior, after which their joint asset, 500 square meters of agricultural land, remained undivided. Of this, 184 square meters had been used by her former brother-in-law since 2015, who had erected a corrugated iron shed and cultivated it.

The brother-in-law claimed his brother had granted him a power of attorney to transfer this portion of land. However, Ms. Huong maintained it was an undivided joint asset, requiring her and her children's consent for any transfer. This led to an ongoing dispute between the two parties.

On the morning of 17/11/2025, the situation escalated when Long drove Ms. Huong to the disputed land. They brought a chainsaw and a cleaver, intending to clear trees and weeds around the pathway.

Seeing this, the brother-in-law's wife believed they were destroying family property. She ran out to intervene and began throwing bricks at Long.

Long pursued her with the chainsaw. As the woman ran and threw bricks back, Long used the saw to deflect them. Upon catching her, he pressed the chainsaw against her side, head, and chest. Ms. Huong then intervened to stop the attack.

Hearing screams for help, two hired workers from the brother-in-law's family ran over, throwing bricks at Long. The brother-in-law also rushed in to rescue his wife but was also injured by Long with the chainsaw in the head and neck.

As a result of the attack, the wife sustained 13% health impairment, and the husband 15%.

The two victims demanded over one billion VND in compensation. However, the court ordered Long to pay 180 million VND.

Hai Thu