On December 17, 2024, Do Xuan Lap, Chairman of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association (Viforest) and General Director of Tien Dat Wood Technology Corporation, was arrested during a raid at a large illegal gambling den.

The raid took place at the Diamond Club, operated by Viet Star Hotel Co., Ltd., located inside Ramana Hotel on Le Van Sy Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

Authorities detained Lap along with several others, including prominent business figures. Some gamblers were found wagering sums totaling 725,445 USD, equivalent to over 18 billion VND.

Lap, 67, who resides in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province, was charged with "Gambling" and placed in custody for four months pending investigation.

A prominent figure in Vietnam’s wood industry

As Chairman of Viforest since 2019, Do Xuan Lap has been a notable voice in the wood industry, frequently commenting on market challenges, trends, and opportunities.

Lap is also the legal representative of Tien Dat Wood Technology Corporation, headquartered in Quy Nhon. Founded in 1999 as Tien Dat Co., Ltd., the company started with a modest workshop and expanded rapidly.

By 2001, the company had relocated to the Phu Tai Industrial Park, boosting production from 30 to 70 containers per month. Export revenues soared from 2.65 million USD in 2001 to 12 million USD in 2004.

In 2007, Tien Dat transitioned into a joint-stock company, specializing in high-quality furniture, forestry products, and handicrafts for both domestic and international markets.

The company, owned entirely by Vietnamese stakeholders, prides itself on its clean, safe factories, quality infrastructure, and timely delivery. By 2019, Tien Dat’s annual export turnover had reached 40–45 million USD.

A once-thriving enterprise

According to a March 2023 report by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, Tien Dat Wood Technology Corporation recorded revenues of 939 billion VND and pre-tax profits of 52 billion VND in 2022.

The company was once listed among Vietnam’s top 500 enterprises.

Lap's leadership also extended to Viforest, where he was elected chairman for the 2019–2024 term.

Do Xuan Lap’s arrest highlights a stark fall from grace for one of Vietnam’s most influential business leaders. While his contributions to the wood industry are undeniable, his involvement in illegal activities casts a shadow over his accomplishments.

Tam An