Official Response from the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam
- Admin 2
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
Regarding the Complaint Against Thich Nhat Tu (for Vietnamese Article, please click here)
English translation:
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THE SUPREME PEOPLE’S PROCURACY OF VIETNAM
No: 831/PC-VKSTC-V12
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness
Hanoi, July 14, 2025
LETTER OF FORWARDING A COMPLAINT
To: The People’s Procuracy of Ho Chi Minh City
The Supreme People’s Procuracy has received a complaint from Ms. Bùi Thị Minh Hằng, residing at: 106 Lê Hồng Phong Street, Ward 4, Vũng Tàu City, Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu Province.Phone: 0919.103.605
Content of the complaint: Request to consider and handle the case of disseminating information on social media and documents allegedly representing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City, which, according to the complainant, contain defamation and slander against monk Trần Ngọc Thảo (also known as Thích Nhật Từ), using false and slanderous content to insult and smear others.
The Supreme People’s Procuracy hereby forwards the above complaint to the People’s Procuracy of Ho Chi Minh City for classification and handling in accordance with legal regulations.
Recipients:
As above
Mr. Chief Procurator of the Supreme People’s Procuracy (for report)
Ms. Bùi Thị Minh Hằng (to inform)
File in Department V12 (P4)
ON BEHALF OF THE CHIEF PROCURATORDEPUTY HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTION AND RESOLUTION OF COMPLAINTS AND DENUNCIATIONS IN JUDICIAL AFFAIRSHIGH-RANKING PROCURATOR
[Signature and red seal]
Lê Hồng Liên
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Original Complaint Letter
Translation of the Complaint Letter
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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAMIndependence – Freedom – Happiness
No: ………
Vung Tau, ………, 2025
REQUEST FOR LEGAL ACTION
(regarding certain documents allegedly produced by Thich Nhat Tu containing content that defames religious beliefs and freedom of faith)
Entities requested to take action and provide information:
Investigation Agency – Ministry of Public SecurityAddress: 47 Pham Van Dong Street, Mai Dich Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Supreme People’s Procuracy of VietnamAddress: 9 Pham Van Bach Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Information of the complainant:
Name: Bui Thi Minh Hang
Address: 106 Le Hong Phong Street, Ward 4, Vung Tau City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province
Documents requested for investigation:
Some materials collected from social networks indicate that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ho Chi Minh City and Mr. Tran Ngoc Thao – Dharma name Thich Nhat Tu, currently the abbot of Giac Ngo Pagoda and allegedly operating under the title “Chairman of the International Buddhist Committee of the aforementioned Sangha” – have published statements.
His address is 92 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Ward 3, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.(Please refer to the attached documents for evidence.)
REPORTED CONTENT
Since April 16, 2025, social networks have circulated materials allegedly from Thich Nhat Tu, representing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City, making disparaging comments about a group of monks who are not under this sangha’s control – including Mr. Le Anh Tu (also known as “Minh Tue”) and approximately 35 other individuals living a monastic lifestyle.
These materials defame the religious beliefs of Mr. Le Anh Tu and his companions, calling them “fake monks” simply because they are not under the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. These conclusions violate:
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Article 24 of the 2013 Constitution of Vietnam
Law on Belief and Religion (2016) of the Vietnamese government
These laws and treaties all recognize and protect freedom of religion and belief, which includes the freedom to adopt or not adopt any religion, and to express religious belief independently of organizations or imposed frameworks.
Anyone has the right to practice faith or belief without being subjected to slander, forced assimilation, or coercion by others. Any action that infringes on this right is strictly prohibited by law.
The materials that have been circulated online, as mentioned above, clearly violate criminal law, especially:
Articles 155 and 156 of the Vietnam Penal Code 2015 (regarding defamation and slander)
Clause 2, Article 2 of the 2017 Amendment to the Penal Code
LEGAL BASIS FOR COMPLAINT
According to Articles 18, 28, and 30 of the 2013 Constitution, all citizens, both domestic and abroad, have the right to participate in social governance.
According to Articles 5, 144, and 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2015, citizens have the right and obligation to denounce crimes, while authorities must accept and process reports accordingly.
In order for the State of Vietnam to promptly and lawfully deal with violations of freedom of religion and criminal defamation, I hereby file this criminal complaint and urge:
An investigation and legal action against the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ho Chi Minh City and Mr. Tran Ngoc Thao (Thich Nhat Tu) for publicly spreading false information, defamation, and inciting hatred against a group of monks living peacefully and lawfully according to their own conscience.
A thorough examination under the Law on Religion and Belief and the Penal Code into any individual or organization that falsely claims to represent the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and disseminates defamatory content in its name.
Please inform me in writing of the results of this complaint.
I send this to the relevant authorities in the hope of establishing justice and promoting a civilized society in Vietnam.
Respectfully submitted,
[Signed]Bui Thi Minh Hang
Attachments:– Screenshots and images of materials circulated online
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This marks the first official acknowledgment at the central level of the complaint concerning Thích Nhật Từ, following a series of reports and calls for investigation submitted to various competent authorities in Vietnam.
We call upon all individuals and organizations who are concerned about this matter to continue following the developments with clarity, dignity, and commitment to truth and justice.
Further reading:
3/ Official Statement from the Volunteer Group Regarding the Allegations in the Denunciation Letter Against Minh Tue and the Walking Monastic Group from Venerable Thich Nhat Tu
Respectfully,
Admin Team
Email: Path.MinhTue@gmail.com
MINH TUE PATH
The Dhutanga Community Toward Wisdom and Peace
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