BBC Journalist Held and Interrogated in Vietnam

Published: 29 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A BBC journalist has been barred from leaving Vietnam and subjected to multiple days of interrogation, highlighting the country’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom. The journalist, a Vietnamese national who lives and works in Thailand, returned home in August to renew their passport, sources familiar with the situation told The English Chronicle.

Although the passport was officially reissued, authorities retained it along with the journalist’s ID card. During this period, the journalist was questioned repeatedly about their work, friends and colleagues said. The journalist’s situation has sparked concern amid a high-profile visit by Vietnam’s leader, General Secretary Tô Lâm, to the United Kingdom.

The BBC confirmed that one of its journalists “had been unable to leave Vietnam for several months as the authorities have withheld their ID card and renewed passport.” In a statement, the broadcaster added: “During this time our journalist was subject to multiple days of questioning by the authorities. They were in Vietnam for a routine passport renewal and to visit family. We are deeply concerned about their wellbeing and urge the authorities to allow them to leave immediately, providing them with their renewed passport so they can return to work.”

The case has drawn attention from human rights and media freedom advocates. Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, said the UK government must act decisively during Tô Lâm’s visit. “He needs to be met with clear and unrelenting demands that the journalist be given their passport and allowed to immediately fly out to Bangkok,” Robertson said. He warned that failure to intervene could expose the journalist to arrest or worse at the hands of Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security.

Vietnam remains one of the world’s most restrictive environments for journalists. The one-party state, governed by the Communist Party, maintains strict censorship over domestic media, and dissenting journalists frequently face imprisonment. International publications are also targeted; in May, the print edition of The Economist was banned in Vietnam after featuring Tô Lâm on its cover, a reflection of ongoing efforts to control public discourse.

Friends of the journalist have called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to raise the issue directly with Lâm during his visit, emphasising that diplomatic engagement cannot come at the expense of media freedoms. Reporters sans Frontières ranks Vietnam among the worst countries in the world for press freedom, placing it 173rd out of 180. The organisation describes the country as “one of the world’s biggest prisons for journalists,” underscoring the risks faced by reporters attempting to operate independently.

The incident has renewed debate over the UK’s approach to human rights and media freedom in its relations with Vietnam. Advocates argue that government officials must balance diplomatic priorities with clear support for journalists’ safety and the protection of fundamental freedoms. The detained BBC journalist’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by media professionals in environments where state control overrides independent reporting.

The situation remains unresolved, with the journalist still unable to leave Vietnam and advocates continuing to press for immediate action. The UK government has yet to issue a public statement detailing measures taken to ensure the journalist’s safe departure. The case is being closely monitored by international media organisations and human rights groups, highlighting the ongoing tensions between diplomacy, security, and press freedom in Southeast Asia.