The People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City recently reopened the hearing to examine new evidence and continue mediation in the inheritance dispute between Nguyen Binh Phuong (Miss Ao Dai Dallas) and Nguyen Ngoc Anh (her mother-in-law) over the estate of the late actor Hoang Duc Tien (Duc Tien).
The hearing was originally scheduled for mid-August but was postponed due to Mrs. Anh's counterclaim.
In her claim, Mrs. Anh stated that, in addition to assets in Vietnam, Duc Tien and his wife acquired a house in the US during their marriage, estimated to be worth 830,000 USD (nearly 22 billion VND).
The house is currently managed and used by Binh Phuong. Mrs. Anh argues that, according to Vietnamese law, since her son died without a valid will (she contests the legality of the will presented by Binh Phuong), 50% of the house's value should be divided equally among the heirs: herself, her daughter-in-law, and her grandchild.
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Nguyen Ngoc Anh working with her legal representatives to protect her legal rights. Photo: Dam Hung |
Nguyen Ngoc Anh working with her legal representatives to protect her legal rights. Photo: Dam Hung
The two disputed properties in Vietnam include a house in Hiep Binh Ward (formerly Linh Dong Ward, Thu Duc City) valued at over 6 billion VND and a plot of land in Long An (valued at over 1 billion VND).
Mrs. Anh claims the Thu Duc house is joint property between her and her son, requesting the court to grant her 50% of its value. From the remaining 50%, she seeks 20% for her management and maintenance efforts, with the rest divided equally among the heirs. She considers the Long An land to be Duc Tien's separate property, to be divided equally among the heirs.
Therefore, according to Mrs. Anh, the total inheritance includes 50% of the US house, 50% of the Thu Duc house, and the Long An land, estimated at approximately 14 billion VND, to be divided equally among the three heirs.
She agrees to offset her share against the Thu Duc house. Binh Phuong would receive the US house and reimburse Mrs. Anh the excess amount of approximately 2.9 billion VND.
Binh Phuong asserts she is the sole legal owner of the US house, based on a Grant Deed dated 6/12/2017. This document stipulates the property as joint marital property, subject to the right of survivorship. Under California law, all property acquired during the marriage is automatically community property. Upon the death of one spouse, the surviving spouse becomes the sole legal owner of the entire property without probate, consistent with the law and the deed.
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Duc Tien in a photoshoot in April for the film "Fragile Flower." He was born in 1980 in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai. Photo: Courtesy of the film crew |
Duc Tien in a photoshoot in April for the film "Fragile Flower." He was born in 1980 in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai. Photo: Courtesy of the film crew
Furthermore, the plaintiff states the US house has an outstanding mortgage of over 301,000 USD, with payments continuing until 2041. Therefore, it cannot be divided (Article 320, Clause 8 of the 2015 Civil Code). Vietnamese courts have jurisdiction only over real estate disputes within Vietnam (Article 470 of the 2015 Civil Procedure Code). Any dispute concerning the US property falls under the jurisdiction of US courts.
Binh Phuong argues Mrs. Anh's counterclaim regarding the US house lacks legal basis.
Binh Phuong's representative previously submitted documents, emails, and transactions to the court, demonstrating she sent money from the US for Duc Tien to purchase land and build the Thu Duc house before their marriage. She claims to have sent 50,000 USD in 2008 for this purpose, an additional 10,000 USD in 2011 to pay off debts, and further funds in 2015 for the Long An land. From 2020 to 2023, Duc Tien transferred back over 20,500 USD and 180 million VND for renovations to the Thu Duc house, which they subsequently rented out. Binh Phuong asserts these are joint marital assets and denies her mother-in-law's contributions.
She maintains her claim to both properties, offering to pay Mrs. Anh two-thirds of the non-dependent inheritance, approximately 600 million VND.
Duc Tien passed away in May 2024 at 44 due to a heart attack at a hospital in California. Months later, Binh Phuong presented a will bequeathing all assets to her. Mrs. Anh disputes the will's legality, leading to the current dispute. Binh Phuong filed the lawsuit in March after failed negotiations.
Duc Tien rose to fame as a model in the 2000s, winning the Model Star Gold Cup in South Korea in 2010. He acted in several television series, including "Return," "Island Love Story," and "My Husband's Wife." After marrying Binh Phuong, he moved to the US, working as an MC for Vietnamese community events. Before his passing, he ran a media and event company, actively participating in shows domestically and internationally.
Hai Duyen
