The corruption scandal surrounding the export of durians from Vietnam to China has escalated with the arrest of Deputy Minister Hoang Trung of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This investigation, led by the Economic Crime Investigation Police Department (C03), has already seen at least 21 individuals charged, including high-ranking officials and business leaders.

On July 28, C03 announced the temporary detention of Hoang Trung and Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Plant Cultivation and Protection Department, for accepting bribes. Additionally, two other officials, Nguyen Thi Ha and Be Thi Thu Hien, have been charged with falsifying documents related to the export process.

The investigation revealed that illegal activities, including the sale of cultivation area codes and inspection certificates, had been taking place. These codes are essential for verifying the origin and quality of agricultural products before export. It was discovered that Hoang Trung and Nguyen Quang Hieu exploited their positions to issue unlawful policies that benefited specific groups, leading to significant financial gains through corrupt practices.

Moreover, various individuals within the inspection units and related businesses are under scrutiny for bribery and violations of accounting regulations. Pham Thanh Tri, Vice President of the Vietnam Golf Tourism Association, is also implicated for using his influence to exploit the situation.

The irregularities have resulted in the export of durians that do not meet the required standards, causing harm to legitimate farmers and businesses while significantly impacting the national budget. The scandal has also damaged the reputation and competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.

In response to these developments, the Plant Cultivation and Protection Department has proposed amendments to the Plant Cultivation Law to enhance the management of cultivation area codes and packaging facilities. They aim to implement technology and artificial intelligence for traceability, starting with durians.

The case has evolved from an initial 17 suspects to the recent charges against Deputy Minister Hoang Trung and three others, with ongoing investigations to clarify the responsibilities of various individuals and entities involved. The Communist Party has also expelled Hoang Trung as a disciplinary measure, separate from the criminal proceedings.