The Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Agency has completed its investigation and recommended prosecution for those involved in the case concerning Phuc Son Group, chaired by Hau "Phao."

Among the 41 individuals facing charges, many are former provincial party secretaries and chairpersons.

According to the investigation, Nguyen Van Hau, also known as Hau "Phao," is accused of offering bribes totaling over 132 billion VND. Authorities have recommended prosecution for 41 individuals, including former provincial leaders.

Key figures in the case

Nguyen Van Hau, also known as Hau "Phao," is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Phuc Son Group and the Chairman of Thang Long Real Estate Investment and Trading Company. He faces prosecution for bribery.

Former officials charged with accepting bribes include Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, former Secretary of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Party Committee; Le Duy Thanh, former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People's Committee; Pham Hoang Anh, former Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Party Committee; and Nguyen Van Khuoc, former Vice Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People's Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Land Valuation Council. Others facing similar charges include Hoang Van Nhiem, former Deputy Director of the Vinh Phuc Department of Finance; Chu Quoc Hai, former Deputy Director of the Vinh Phuc Department of Natural Resources and Environment; Cao Khoa, former Chairman of the Quang Ngai People's Committee; Le Viet Chu, former Vice Chairman of the Quang Ngai People's Committee and former Secretary of the Quang Ngai Provincial Party Committee; and Dang Van Minh, former Director of the Quang Ngai Department of Transport and former Chairman of the Quang Ngai People's Committee.

Several individuals are also charged with abusing their positions for personal gain. These include Pham Van Vong, former Secretary of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Party Committee; Phung Quang Hung, former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People's Committee; Ha Hoa Binh, former Vice Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People's Committee; Ngo Duc Vuong, former Secretary of the Phu Tho Provincial Party Committee; and Nguyen Doan Khanh, former Chairman and Secretary of the Phu Tho Provincial Party Committee. Others include officials from land valuation and environmental consulting firms.

Additionally, Dang Trung Hoanh, former Chief of the Mang Thit District Party Office in Vinh Long, is facing charges of abusing his influence for personal gain.

Several executives and government officials are also accused of violating bidding regulations, leading to serious consequences. Among them are Pham Ngoc Cuong, Deputy General Director of Phuc Son Group; Do Huu Vinh, former General Director of Phuc Son Group; and Phan Van Vi, former Deputy General Director and Chief Accountant of Phuc Son Group. Other individuals facing charges under this category include officials from various provincial project management units, land development agencies, and cultural heritage sites.

Violations related to financial mismanagement and accounting regulations have also been highlighted in the case. Individuals facing charges under this category include Nguyen Thi Hang, Deputy General Director of Phuc Son Group; Do Thi Mai, Chief Accountant of Phuc Son Group; Hoang Thi Tuyet Hanh, an accountant at Phuc Son Group; Nguyen Hong Son, former Business Director of Phuc Son Group; and Tran Huu Dinh, Director of Nam A Group Investment Company.

Who is Hau "Phao"?

Nguyen Van Hau, also known as Hau "Phao," was born in 1981 into a farming family in Vinh Tuong District, Vinh Phuc Province. Rising from humble beginnings, he built a prominent real estate company by investing in large-scale projects across Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Quang Ngai, and Khanh Hoa.

In January 2004, Hau established Phuc Son Trading and Construction Co., Ltd., which was later renamed Phuc Son Urban Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company. By July 2010, the company rebranded as Phuc Son Group, with Nguyen Van Hau contributing 109.8 billion VND, accounting for 84.6% of its capital.

In 2014, Phuc Son’s profits remained modest at around 100 million VND. However, by 2015, the company experienced rapid growth, increasing its charter capital by more than twelve times - from 129.7 billion VND to 1.5 trillion VND. By 2017, its capital had reached 2 trillion VND, and at one point, it soared to 4 trillion VND.

Phuc Son Group’s multi-billion-dollar projects

Phuc Son Group has undertaken 21 projects with a total investment exceeding 40 trillion VND. Its land holdings span hundreds of hectares.

In Vinh Phuc Province, notable projects include the Phuc Son Commercial and Residential Center, valued at approximately 1.7 trillion VND, and the Vinh Tuong Agricultural Market and Logistics Hub, which has a total investment exceeding 2 trillion VND.

In Phu Tho Province, the company has developed the 149-hectare Phu Dong Road Urban Area in Viet Tri City, as well as projects for the preservation of the Hung Kings' Historical Relic Site and the construction of Hung Vuong Square.

In Quang Ngai Province, Phuc Son invested in the Southern Tra Khuc River Road Project, with a nearly 1 trillion VND budget, and the Bau Giang Urban Area, which has an investment exceeding 3.3 trillion VND.

In Khanh Hoa Province, the company has developed Phuc Khanh 1 and 2 urban areas, with an investment surpassing 1 trillion VND. In November 2017, Phuc Son received an investment certificate from Khanh Hoa Province for three Build-Transfer (BT) projects, totaling over 3.5 trillion VND.

The company has also been involved in various projects in Tuyen Quang, Quang Tri, and Hanoi.

Despite being granted extensive land for development, Phuc Son Group has struggled to complete several of its projects. For example, the redevelopment of Nha Trang Airport has seen prolonged delays, raising concerns about the company’s ability to deliver on its commitments.

Dinh Hieu