Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — The founder of the popular Vietnamese YouTube channel “Nguoi Dua Tin” (The Herald/Messenger), Le Van Can, has been arrested along with two collaborators for allegedly spreading political misinformation and abusing democratic freedoms under Article 331 of Vietnam’s Penal Code.
Police detained Le Van Can, 59, and his associates Nguyen Duc Minh, 24, and Nguyen Hoang Tan, 27, on Wednesday. The trio faces criminal charges for publishing more than 6,700 videos that misrepresented political leaders and events. Authorities claim the content generated over VND10 billion (approximately US$385,000) in illicit revenue.
The Nguoi Dua Tin channel amassed nearly 2 million followers and surpassed 1 billion views since its launch in March 2024, drawing the attention of the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department. Officials say the videos incited social unrest and distorted political narratives — a serious offense, particularly during the sensitive period ahead of upcoming Party Congresses.
Investigators identified Can as the principal operator, while Minh and Tan handled video editing and visual design. The channel’s portrayal of political figures allegedly undermined public trust and threatened public order, according to police statements.
Authorities say the case is still under investigation, with law enforcement planning stricter enforcement against similar digital violations moving forward.
The arrests have reignited public debate over freedom of speech and the role of digital creators in Vietnam. While the country has seen some relaxation in online expression, political content remains tightly controlled, and violations can lead to arrest under national security laws.
As the investigation continues, police stress the importance of responsible content creation and warn that misuse of digital platforms will be met with serious legal consequences.
