Huang Wei Hao (39 years old, Chinese national, also known as A Hao), along with his wife Le Thi Diem and two accomplices, will face trial at the People's Court of TP HCM on 8/9 for brokering prostitution.

In connection with the case, Luu Trong Hanh (38 years old, a former police officer from the former District 10 Police) is indicted for defrauding assets.

The Hao Man restaurant on Ngo Gia Tu Street, Vuon Lai Ward (former District 10), operated from late 5/2024, primarily serving Chinese and Korean customers. Hao directly managed the restaurant, while Diem co-managed operations and hired staff for each department.

Around 3/2025, the restaurant owners allegedly started allowing waitresses to engage in prostitution outside the premises when customers requested, aiming to attract clients and increase revenue.

Allowing prostitution but requiring a 'no prostitution' commitment

According to statements, on 13/6/2025, Hao, Diem, Le Vi Kiet, interpreters, and several managers held a meeting at the restaurant. Hao noted that police had inspected many restaurants due to waitresses engaging in prostitution. He instructed managers to be discreet to avoid detection.

Despite continuing to allow staff to engage in prostitution outside, he required them not to leave the restaurant at the same time as customers. They also had to use monitored gate passes and delete Telegram groups daily.

Employees were also required to sign a commitment stating "no prostitution, no drugs" to counter inspections.

As Hao was not fluent in Vietnamese, he communicated these directives to managers and staff through his wife, who acted as an interpreter.

At the restaurant, Kiet was responsible for managing waitresses and creating Telegram groups for oversight. When a person joined, Kiet created a group using a QR code; when they left, they had to exit or delete the group.

'Gate pass' before going to the hotel

According to investigation results, customers at Hao Man could select waitresses to serve them food and sing karaoke. If they wanted to purchase sex, customers and waitresses would agree on a price, then inform the manager.

Waitresses stated the standard price was 3 million VND per session and 7 million VND for an overnight stay.

After reaching an agreement, waitresses would meet Truong Thi Ngoc Giau, also known as Madam Vi, to provide the hotel address and images sent by the customer, notifying her of their intention to engage in prostitution outside.

Staff would then fill out a "gate pass" form, have Kiet stamp it, and only then were they allowed to leave the restaurant for the hotel.

Around 3 h on 27/6/2025, police inspected a hotel on Su Van Hanh Street, discovering a Hao Man waitress engaging in prostitution with a Korean man.

Concurrently, authorities inspected the restaurant, found evidence of brokering prostitution, and summoned those involved.

According to court documents, Giau and the madams did not receive a salary but earned tips and a commission from bringing customers to the restaurant for dining.

Kiet received 20 million VND each month, responsible for staff and Telegram groups. Diem was the general manager, earning 15 million VND, sharing 50% of room service tips with the madams, and assisting her husband with management and interpretation for customers.

Testimony about over one billion VND in 'protection money'

During the investigation, Hao accused Luu Trong Hanh, a former fire prevention officer from the former District 10 Police, of receiving a total of over 1.1 billion VND in "liaison" money. This was allegedly for securing payments to ensure the restaurant could operate safely.

Hao stated that he trusted Hanh, which is why the restaurant continued its prostitution brokering activities.

The restaurant owner also claimed to have given 300 million VND monthly, totaling over one billion VND, to a person named Truong, who claimed to be an officer from the Department of Culture and Information, to help the establishment operate safely.

This individual denied the statements. The investigative agency separated this content to continue gathering evidence and will process it later.

Binh Nguyen