Propaganda charge puts Le Anh Hung in prison

Authorities in Vietnam arrested independent journalist Le Anh Hung in the country’s central Dak Lak province in March 2026.

The journalist, who contributed to several media outlets including VOA and writes a blog, faces charges of “propagandizing against the state.”

Le Anh Hung is a well-known journalist in Vietnam, who reports critically on the government, and has also authored books. He is a former regular contributor to VOA, where he wrote a blog for the Vietnamese Service. His coverage for VOA included reporting on corruption allegations against the ruling party.

The 53-year-old journalist was staying with a friend at the time of his arrest, and has been transferred to pre-trial detention in the capital, Hanoi.

Le Anh Hung previously spent five years in prison for “abusing democratic freedoms.” In an interview with VOA after his release in 2023, Hung described being forced to have psychiatric treatments and medical procedures without his consent.

“I am against using drugs, or injecting psychotropic drugs into my body, which I think are toxic. For more than three years I lived in such a poisoned situation,” he told VOA’s Vietnam service after being freed.

When he was freed in 2023, the journalist said he had lost hearing in one ear, which he believes is because of being beaten while in custody.

Vietnam is among the 10 most censored countries in the world according to Reporters Without Borders, or RSF. Independent bloggers are one of the only sources of independent news. The country ranks 174 out of 180 on the Press Freedom Index, where 1 shows the best media environment.