Routine passport renewal trips and family visits became a serious ordeal after a BBC journalist was prevented from leaving Vietnam and repeatedly questioned by police.
The journalist, a Vietnamese national living and working in Thailand, traveled to Vietnam in August to apply for a new passport. A renewed passport was issued, but authorities withheld it along with other identification documents. Police reportedly questioned reporters over several days about their work, sources and reporting methods.
The BBC confirmed that the journalist has been “unable to leave the country for many months” as his documents remain withheld. The broadcaster is concerned about the safety of its reporters and called on the Vietnamese government to allow them to travel freely.
The timing of this lawsuit is politically sensitive. Vietnam’s General Secretary Tho Lam is currently visiting the UK, and supporters of the journalist hope that the British Prime Minister will raise the issue. They argue that strong diplomatic relations should not come at the expense of human rights and press freedom.
Since becoming party general secretary in August 2024, Torum has tightened control over the media and increased pressure on independent voices. Most of Vietnam’s media outlets are state-owned, and journalists must follow strict government guidelines. Independent blogs and social media accounts critical of the authorities are often blocked, and writers and activists are at risk of arrest for publishing content deemed “anti-state.” In May, Vietnam banned print versions of books. economist After a star is drawn above To Lam’s eyes on the cover.
Reporters Without Borders ranked Vietnam 173rd out of 180 countries in its 2025 Press Freedom Index, noting that journalists and independent bloggers are often imprisoned for reporting.
Rights groups have condemned the move as an attack on press freedom. Phil Robertson, from the Asian Human Rights and Labor Advocacy Group, warned that journalists could face further punishment and imprisonment unless the UK intervenes. “He should be allowed to leave the country immediately,” the reporter said.
For now, many are waiting to see whether Britain will require the safe departure of journalists when engaging with Vietnam on trade and diplomacy. The incident is a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in countries where media is tightly controlled.
