Thuan An Group: Officials Arrested, Contracts Worth $7.8 Billion Awarded in 2 Years

**Business Brings Down Series of Officials**

At a government press conference on May 4, Lieutenant General Tô Ân Xô, the Ministry of Public Security spokesperson, provided an update on the Thuận An Group Corporation Joint Stock Company case. The Ministry of Public Security has now detained eight suspects in the case, including the latest suspect, Dương Văn Thái, the former Bắc Giang Provincial Party Secretary, who is accused of abusing his position and authority while performing official duties. Legal proceedings commenced on May 1.

Previously, the investigation agency had detained seven other suspects in connection with the case. Among them, Nguyễn Duy Hưng, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thuận An Group Corporation JSC, and Nguyễn Khắc Mẫn, the Deputy General Director of Thuận An Group Corporation JSC, were charged with violating bidding regulations and causing serious consequences and offering bribes.

Also in connection with the case, on April 22, Phạm Thái Hà, the Deputy Director of the National Assembly Office and Assistant to the National Assembly Chairman, was detained and charged with abuse of position and authority to influence others for personal gain.

Mr. Dương Văn Thái, former Bắc Giang Provincial Party Secretary. Photo: Hoàng Hà.

Thuận An Group was the predecessor of Thuận An Construction and Trade Development JSC, with Nguyễn Duy Hưng as its chairman. The company was founded in August 2004 with an initial capital of 3.9 billion VND.

Thuận An Group is known as a corporation specializing in infrastructure investment and construction, electricity and renewable energy trading and purchasing, and real estate investment.

From 2011 to 2018, Thuận An Group began expanding its operations, aiming to become a leader in infrastructure construction, increasing its registered capital exponentially three times. By 2014, the company’s registered capital had reached 300 billion VND. In 2021, the company increased its registered capital by almost three times (to 800 billion VND, more than 200 times higher than when it was first established).

In recent years, Thuận An has continuously won dozens of construction and installation contracts, including some worth hundreds of billions of VND.

As an independent contractor or a member of joint ventures, Thuận An is currently executing numerous construction contracts in various provinces and cities across the country.

From December 2014 to December 2023, Thuận An directly or through joint ventures participated in and won 38 contracts in 16 provinces and cities with a total value of over 23,000 billion VND.

In 2022 and 2023 alone, the company won contracts totaling 18,000 billion VND, including contracts funded by the post-COVID-19 economic and social recovery program. 

**Winning Contracts in Multiple Provinces and Cities**

In recent years, the group has emerged as a major contractor for bridge projects. These include the Sông Rút Bridge on the expressway connecting Hạ Long with Bạch Đằng; the Cửa Hội Bridge – Extradosed cable-stayed bridge spanning the Lam River; the Vĩnh Tuy 2 Bridge – gateway to the capital of Hanoi; and the Rạch Miễu 2 Bridge.

In **Bắc Giang,** the company is currently executing the Đồng Việt Bridge project. This is the first and largest cable-stayed bridge in Bắc Giang province, connecting the Thương River with Hải Dương province.

The contract value of this package is 1,132.7 billion VND. The Thuận An Construction and Trade Development JSC, 168 Vietnam Construction and Import-Export JSC, and Trung Chính Trading and Construction Co., Ltd. joint venture was selected to execute the project (Package No. 07).

According to the approval, the project has a total length of 8.59km, including approximately 7.86km of approach roads on both sides, and the Đồng Việt Bridge structure is approximately 731.2m long. The project will be implemented over three years (2022-2025) and will be funded by the provincial budget and local government bonds.

On April 22, a representative from the Project Management Board for Investment and Construction of Traffic Works in **Quảng Ninh Province** disclosed that they have reviewed the projects and structures executed by Thuận An Group Corporation JSC.

As per the review, Thuận An Group Corporation JSC has been and is currently executing projects in the province with a total value of over 1,000 billion VND from the budget.

Thuận An is currently partnering with other contractors to execute Package 13 of the coastal road project connecting the Hạ Long – Hải Phòng expressway to Đông Triều township, from provincial road 338 to Đông Triều township, Quảng Ninh province (phase 1). Project execution period: 2021-2024.

The scope of work for Thuận An Group Corporation JSC includes: construction of Tân Yên 2 Bridge, Hang Son Bridge, Sông Cầm Bridge, and Sông Đạm Thủy Bridge, with a total value of over 354 billion VND. Thuận An Group Corporation JSC and its subcontractors are currently constructing the four bridges in this package.

In **Ho Chi Minh City**, Thuận An Group is participating in a joint venture with other contractors to execute two key traffic projects in Ho Chi Minh City led by the Traffic Department: the Ring Road 3 project and the Nguyễn Văn Linh-Nguyễn Hữu Thọ intersection project. In the Ring Road 3 construction project in Ho Chi Minh City, Thuận An Group is participating in Package XL5, constructing the Ring Road 3 section through Thủ Đức City (from Km23+550 to Km25+985).

In the package, the company is part of a joint venture with eight other construction contractors to execute the contract. The total contract value is over 2,300 billion VND, of which Thuận An has a joint venture share of 26.5%, equivalent to 610 billion VND.

In the Nguyễn Văn Linh-Nguyễn Hữu Thọ intersection construction project, Thuận An Group is part of a joint venture with two other construction contractors. The total contract value is 262 billion VND, of which Thuận An has a joint venture share of 40%, equivalent to 105 billion VND.

Thuận An Group is also participating in a joint venture with several other contractors to execute Package XL05 and XL06 of the Tham Lương – Bến Cát – Rạch Nước Lên Channel Infrastructure Construction and Environmental Improvement Project.

In **Bình Dương,** the province has instructed relevant authorities to review the contract package for the Bắc Tân Uyên – Phú Giáo – Bàu Bàng strength-generating road project to ensure that it complies with legal requirements. The project is a joint venture between Thuận An Construction and Trade Development Corporation (Thuận An Group) and several other private companies. The project’s investment capital is approximately 3,800 billion VND. 

Meanwhile, on April 16, the Quảng Nam Provincial People’s Committee sent an official letter to the provincial departments, agencies, and branches; and the people’s committees of districts, towns, and cities regarding cooperation and provision of information related to Thuận An Group.

According to the Quảng Nam Provincial People’s Committee, upon reviewing information, Thuận An Group Corporation JSC and Nguyễn Duy Hưng, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, have violated bidding regulations.

Consequently, Quảng Nam requires the departments, agencies, and branches, as well as the People’s Committees of districts, towns, and cities, to urgently instruct relevant departments, units, and local authorities to review projects and investment projects in the area involving Thuận An Group Corporation JSC (contractors or investors).

Hạnh Nguyên