Land Sanitation Project Turns into Illegal Stone Quarrying
The first case occurred in Ba Ria Village, Ho Tram Commune. Since March 2025, Vu Duc Son (DOB: 1981) has been organizing land improvement for long-term tree planting under the guise of land grading. However, instead of just leveling the ground as registered, Son directed the destruction of tens of thousands of cubic meters of natural stone for sale.
 Vu Duc Son
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According to the investigation results, Son hired laborers to operate excavators, jackhammers, and trucks to illegally extract more than 26,440 cubic meters of stone, earning billions of VND in illicit profits. At the scene, the authorities recorded more than 2,240 cubic meters of unsold stone scattered over an area of nearly 2,000 square meters with severe terrain deformation. This is an agricultural land not licensed for mineral exploitation.
At the investigative agency, Vu Duc Son admitted to his actions and elaborated on the systematic process of renting machinery, labor, and stone distribution.
Turning a Water Reservoir into a Stone Quarry
While the Ho Tram case was under investigation, the Economic Police discovered a larger illegal exploitation case at Da Den Water Reservoir in Ngai Giao Commune. Here, Da Nguyen Investment and Development JSC was licensed to dredge and reclaim land. However, upon discovering a layer of black stone in the reservoir, the legal representative, Tran Van Tuan, instructed his wife, Pham Thi Hong Ngoc, director of Dai Long Nguyen Company (the project contractor), to sign contracts to supply stone to multiple private units.
Tran Van Tuan
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To conceal the illegal stone quarrying, the contracts listed the goods as “weathered stone” or “weathered soil type 1.” However, investigative documents identified the substance as black stone, a mineral resource requiring a mining license. Just three major customers accounted for the extraction and consumption of over 365,000 cubic meters of stone, equivalent to a value of approximately VND 29.8 billion.
The payment method also reflected the sophistication of this ring, involving not only cash but also land transfers. Nguyen Viet Ha, Director of the Project Management Board of Dai Nguyen Company, was accused of “complicity” in this activity, as he was aware of the violations but still allowed contractors to continue illegal stone reclamation.
Initiating Prosecutions and Expanding Investigations
On July 23, the Investigation Police Agency of Ho Chi Minh City initiated prosecutions for both cases. In the Da Den Reservoir case, the authorities issued prosecution decisions and arrest warrants for Tran Van Tuan, Pham Thi Hong Ngoc, and Nguyen Viet Ha. Previously, Vu Duc Son in the Ho Tram case had also been prosecuted and detained for “Violating regulations on mineral exploitation” under Article 227 of the Criminal Code.
Ho Chi Minh City’s police are continuing their investigations, clarifying the roles of individuals and organizations involved, and affirming their resolve to severely handle violations of national resources, ensuring law and order in the area.
The Great Hanoi Bank Savings Scam: Police Seek Victims to Come Forward
Man Tiến Long, a former employee of the Hanoi Post Office, stands accused of deceiving the public by enticing them to hand over their money and savings account documents with false promises of secure savings accounts, only to then appropriate these significant sums for himself.
Unlicensed Mining: Heavy Fines for Bac Ninh’s Thong Nhat Company
The People’s Committee of Bac Ninh province imposed a fine of VND 120 million on Thong Nhat Development Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company, located on the 3rd floor of Cat Tuong New Apartment, Ly Thai To Street, Ninh Xa Ward, Bac Ninh city, for illegal mineral exploitation.
No ‘Task, Two Persons’ in Mineral Resource Management
This morning, August 26th, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired a meeting at the Government Headquarters with leaders of relevant ministries and sectors to discuss and provide feedback on the draft Law on Geology and Minerals.
The Vice-Minister’s Directive: Avoiding Overlapping Responsibilities in Mineral Resource Management
On the morning of August 26, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired a meeting with leaders of ministries and functional agencies to discuss and provide feedback on the draft Law on Geology and Minerals.
“Uncovering the Truth: Secretary of Quang Nam Exposes Lax Management of Mineral Mines”
The licensed mining businesses have manipulated the market, consistently driving up prices. Lax regulation and instances of officials providing protection for illegal mining activities have resulted in overexploitation beyond permitted reserves, leading to significant losses for the state budget.
