Nguyen Van Phong, a 53-year-old man from Phuc Ha residential group, surrendered today to Da Mai Ward Police in Bac Ninh province, admitting to a murder charge. Authorities transferred Phong to the Criminal Police Department for further investigation.

Nguyen Phong upon surrender. Photo: Provided by Police.

According to police records, Phong murdered a neighbor in the same residential group in late 1997 following a sudden conflict. He was subsequently prosecuted for the crime. However, in 1999, Phong fled to China, where he remained on the run for the past 27 years.

The former Bac Giang Provincial Police Investigation Agency issued an arrest warrant for Phong in 1999. Over the years, police gathered intelligence on the suspect and repeatedly engaged with his family to persuade him to return. These efforts ultimately led to Phong's decision to come back to Vietnam and surrender.