A journalist working for an international broadcaster has been prevented from leaving Vietnam for several months after authorities confiscated their travel documents and subjected them to multiple days of questioning.
The journalist, a Vietnamese national residing abroad, had traveled to their home country in August for a routine passport renewal and to visit relatives. Although a new passport was issued, it was not returned. Instead, state security forces held the document and initiated a series of interrogations focusing on the individual’s professional work.
The broadcaster has issued a statement confirming the situation, expressing grave concern for the journalist’s welfare and calling for their immediate release and the return of their passport so they can return to their place of work.
This case has emerged during a period of high-level diplomatic engagement, prompting calls for foreign leaders to address the matter directly with Vietnam’s government. Human rights advocates warn that inaction could lead to more severe consequences, including potential arrest for the journalist. They argue that international partnerships should not be strengthened while fundamental freedoms are being violated.
Vietnam maintains one of the world’s most restrictive media environments. Independent journalism is heavily suppressed, and the country consistently ranks near the bottom of global press freedom indexes, with critics describing it as a prison for members of the press. The state exercises near-total control over domestic media and frequently jails those who express dissent.
