On September 28, 2023, Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security reported the arrest of three members of the Viet Tan party, a political organization that the Vietnamese government classifies as a terrorist group. The arrests occurred when the individuals allegedly attempted to enter Vietnam illegally from Cambodia. The Ministry claims that the three were caught at the border and were found with falsified identification documents.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Nguyen Duc Thuan, Ho Pham Hiep Huy, and Thai Cong Truong Son. According to the ministry, they are being investigated for terrorism and for using counterfeit documents. Viet Tan, on the other hand, asserts that the members were kidnapped in Cambodia and forcibly brought back to Vietnam.

Nguyen Duc Thuan, 52, and Ho Pham Hiep Huy, 51, were reportedly in Cambodia for a short trip before their disappearance. Their families and the Viet Tan party raised alarms about their sudden disappearance, prompting calls for assistance from the Australian and Norwegian governments, as both men hold citizenship from these countries. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the government is providing consular support to the families.

Viet Tan issued a statement condemning the actions of the Vietnamese government, labeling them as transnational repression and calling for immediate intervention from the international community. The organization emphasized that their members were not attempting to enter Vietnam with any malicious intent but were engaged in peaceful advocacy for democracy and human rights.

The arrests have sparked international concern, with human rights organizations criticizing the Vietnamese government's actions as a violation of international law. Phil Robertson, director of the Asian Human Rights and Labor Organization, described the arrests as outrageous and unacceptable, urging Norway and Australia to take a leading role in addressing these violations.

Viet Tan, established in 1982 and based in the United States, advocates for non-violent reform in Vietnam. While the United Nations Human Rights Council has labeled it a peaceful organization supporting democratic reforms, the Vietnamese government continues to view it as a terrorist entity. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Vietnamese authorities and dissident groups operating both domestically and abroad.