Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, a 47-year-old woman with a criminal history of seven convictions, primarily for fraud, has been implicated in a scandal involving multiple doctors and nurses at the Central Psychiatric Institute in Hanoi. Currently on trial, she faces charges of bribery, brokerage of bribery, and fraud.

During her time at the institute, Mai Anh reportedly manipulated the staff to allow her unrestricted access to the outside world, even bringing in family members and a housekeeper to stay with her in her treatment room, which was equipped like a hotel.

Testimonies from medical staff revealed that Mai Anh frequently provided financial support and gifts, including monthly cash payments and vacation packages. The prosecution claims that she maintained a secondary financial allowance for dozens of doctors and nurses, with monthly payments ranging from 1 to 10 million VND, significantly exceeding official state allowances.

For instance, nurse Tran Dai Quan received 5 million VND monthly, totaling 240 million VND over 48 months. Many nurses admitted to accepting these payments, often distributed by Mai Anh herself or through colleagues.

In addition to regular payments, Mai Anh also offered loans, holiday gifts for staff's children, and even motorcycles. When issues arose, such as her husband, Le Van Dong, who has 13 prior convictions, escaping from the institute, she allegedly used her influence to cover up his absence, reportedly bribing the institute's director with two iPhone 16 Pro Max devices.

Mai Anh's lavish lifestyle extended to organizing all-expenses-paid vacations for medical staff and their families to luxury resorts across Vietnam, including Four Points Sheraton Da Nang and Phu Quoc. Staff members confirmed participating in numerous trips funded entirely by her.

The trial, which is expected to last ten days, is currently in its second day, with Mai Anh yet to make a statement. Over 40 colleagues from the institute are also facing prosecution for accepting bribes.