Concerns Grow for BBC Journalist Detained in Vietnam

Fri Dec 05 2025 06:42:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The BBC expresses deep concern over the wellbeing of a journalist trapped in Vietnam after being denied passport renewal and facing extensive questioning.

The BBC has raised alarms regarding a journalist who has been unable to leave Vietnam for months due to withheld identification documents and constant questioning by authorities. The situation escalates amidst discussions on media freedoms in the country as the Communist Party maintains strict control over the press.

The BBC said it was deeply concerned about the wellbeing of one of its journalists who has been unable to leave Vietnam for several months.

The Vietnamese national traveled to the country to visit family and renew their passport, but the document and their ID card have been withheld and they have been subjected to multiple days of questioning, the corporation said in a statement.

The BBC is urging Vietnamese authorities to allow the journalist to leave immediately and return to work by providing the renewed passport.

This comes as the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, arrived in the UK on Tuesday for a visit during which he is expected to meet Sir Keir Starmer.

A Foreign Office spokesperson stated that the UK's position and track record defending media freedom is clear. They added: We remain concerned by reported harassment of NGOs, journalists, and rights activists and communities in Vietnam and continue to raise these concerns directly with our Vietnamese counterpart.

Vietnam is a one-party Communist state and has been one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies. However, alongside its economic growth, the country faces challenges with high levels of political censorship and a poor record on human rights.

The Communist Party maintains strict control over the media in Vietnam, where outlets and journalists risk sanctions and arrest for addressing sensitive topics and criticizing the government. Online content deemed threatening to Communist rule is frequently blocked.