On 19/8, Phuong was sentenced to death for murder and four years in prison for robbery by the An Giang Provincial People's Court. The sentences were combined for a final death penalty. She was also ordered to pay 160 million VND in compensation to the victim's family.

Nguyen Thi Kieu Phuong at the court on 19/8. Photo: Tien Tam

Nguyen Thi Kieu Phuong at the court on 19/8. Photo: Tien Tam

Phuong cried in court, expressing remorse and claiming she acted out of desperation due to pressure from creditors.

Phuong, a noodle vendor, had borrowed money at high interest rates from multiple lenders earlier in 2023 and was unable to repay them. On 17/2, she asked her 74-year-old neighbor, Bui Van Thuan, for a loan, but he refused.

The indictment stated that early the next morning, Phuong, armed with a hammer and knife, intercepted Thuan as he was delivering pork to customers. He again refused her request for a loan, despite her threats. Phuong then struck him repeatedly on the head with a hammer, knocking him unconscious, and stole three gold rings. Before leaving, she stabbed him with the knife and hid his body in the river, covering it with water hyacinth.

Upon returning home, Phuong threw the hammer into the river, hid the knife in her kitchen, and proceeded to open her noodle stall as usual. She then sold the three gold rings in a neighboring commune for 33 million VND, using nearly 19 million VND to pay off some of her debts. Two days later, when she realized the crime had been discovered, she turned herself in to the police.

Ngoc Tai - Tien Tam