Ho Chi Minh City restaurateur faces trial over alleged prostitution and bribery scheme

Nguyen Dinh Thong, a 53-year-old restaurateur, will appear before the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on Sept. 22 on charges of procuring prostitution and bribery. Prosecutors say he hired former police officer Ha Manh Truong to shield illicit activities at two venues on Tran Quang Khai Street, paying the officer a total of VND1.75 billion. The indictment names Dong Trong Le, the general manager, and Vo Phuc Chau, the deputy manager, as organizers who allowed female hostesses to engage in prostitution from February 2024, with customers paying VND2.5-3 million per encounter.

Thong allegedly earned VND125 million from the operation, while Le and Chau received smaller sums. Truong faces separate fraud and property-appropriation charges after allegedly using the money for personal expenses. Three additional staff members have also been charged with procuring prostitution.