The BBC has stated it is deeply concerned about a journalist who has been unable to leave Vietnam for several months. The journalist, a Vietnamese national, initially traveled to visit family and renew their passport; however, both their passport and ID card have been withheld.
According to a statement from the BBC, the journalist has been subjected to prolonged questioning during their stay. The organization is urging Vietnamese authorities to allow their immediate departure and return to work by issuing the renewed passport.
This situation comes as the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, visits the UK, where he is expected to engage in meetings, including one with Sir Keir Starmer.
A spokesperson from the UK Foreign Office reiterated the country's commitment to media freedom, expressing concern over the reported harassment faced by journalists, NGOs, and rights activists in Vietnam. The spokesperson stated that these issues continue to be addressed directly with Vietnamese authorities.
Operating as a one-party Communist state, Vietnam exhibits rapid economic growth, yet simultaneously enforces high levels of political censorship and maintains a poor human rights record. The Communist Party exercises a tight grip on media, where discussions of sensitive topics can lead to sanctions and arrests, and online content that threatens party rule is frequently blocked.
