On August 27th, the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City held a first-instance trial for Li Wenchao (born 1981, Chinese nationality) on charges of “Using electronic means to appropriate assets.”
According to the indictment, Li Wenchao and a fellow Chinese national were traders engaged in buying and exporting rice from Vietnam.
On August 24, 2023, they boarded a flight from South Korea to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. During the flight, Li Wenchao picked up a credit card belonging to Mr. Park Woojin (South Korean nationality) and kept it without informing his companion.
Li Wenchao in court
This type of card could be used for all kinds of transactions, both domestic and international, with a “buy now, pay later” scheme and no password requirement. Li Wenchao kept this information to himself.
Upon their arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, they checked into a hotel on Pham Ngu Lao Street (Pham Ngu Lao ward, District 1) to store their luggage.
They then proceeded to the Christian Dior store on Dong Khoi Street (Ben Nghe ward, District 1) for shopping. Here, Li Wenchao purchased five items totaling VND 215 million using Mr. Park Woojin’s card.
On the same day, Mr. Park Woojin reported to the Ben Nghe Ward Police (District 1) that his credit card had been used for unauthorized transactions.
On August 25, 2023, Li Wenchao left for Hong Kong and distributed the products purchased with Mr. Park’s card to his friends as gifts.
On September 9, 2023, he re-entered Vietnam for rice trading. However, on September 14, 2023, Li Wenchao was arrested by the Investigative Police Agency of District 1 in an emergency case.
In court, Li Wenchao admitted to his crimes and expressed remorse for his impulsive actions driven by greed.
The jury sentenced Li Wenchao to eight years in prison for “Using electronic means to appropriate assets.”
Proposed Planning for Adding 2 New Cities in Ho Chi Minh City
According to Architect Ngô Viết Nam Sơn, Ho Chi Minh City should consider planning two cities within the city in the south and north.
Comprehensive regional connectivity
In addition to building strong physical infrastructure, Ho Chi Minh City needs to strengthen its soft connections with other provinces in the region in order to promote economic development. This includes prioritizing the training of skilled workforce and ensuring access to quality healthcare.
2023 Remittances Surpass Half of Ho Chi Minh City’s Budget Revenue
As part of the Homeland Spring 2024 program in Ho Chi Minh City, this morning (2/2), the overseas Vietnamese delegation had a tour of the City Hall and met with city leaders.
Three Economic Growth Scenarios for Ho Chi Minh City in Q1 2024
At the socio-economic meeting reviewing the results of January and setting the goals for February 2024, held this morning (1/2), the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Research and Development has presented three economic growth scenarios for the first quarter of Ho Chi Minh City.
Emotional Kieu people when admiring Ho Chi Minh City from Metro Line 1
Ho Chi Minh City has undergone a remarkable transformation since the day I left. It now boasts a completely different appearance, exuding a fresh and vibrant energy. This sentiment was captured by Mr. Nguyen Duong Nam Phuong, a Vietnamese American, who was amazed by the city’s newfound liveliness.
