Judge Nguyen Xuan Van will preside over the proceedings, which are expected to last nine days. The trial will involve approximately 40 defense attorneys representing 12 defendants. Hoang Quoc Vuong alone will be defended by seven lawyers. The court has summoned more than 90 individuals with related rights and obligations.

Former Deputy Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong (born 1963) is charged with "abuse of power or position while performing official duties." Alongside him, Phuong Hoang Kim (born 1973), former Director General of the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and ten others are also being prosecuted for "abuse of power or position" and "negligence causing serious consequences."

According to the indictment, during his tenure as Deputy Minister from August 31, 2018, to April 6, 2020, Vuong was responsible for overseeing the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy. During this time, he directly guided the drafting of Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg.

Investigators allege that although Vuong was fully aware of government policies - specifically Resolution 115/NQ-CP and the Prime Minister’s directives regarding support mechanisms for solar power projects in Ninh Thuan province - he acted out of personal gain. Vuong allegedly accepted VND 1.5 billion (approximately USD 59,000) from executives of Trung Nam – Thuan Nam Company and used his position to direct the department to draft Decision No. 13 in a way that expanded eligibility for preferential electricity pricing.

This move helped the Trung Nam – Thuan Nam solar power plant get added to the national planning list and receive a favorable electricity price of 9.35 U.S. cents/kWh.

Vuong’s abuse of power allegedly resulted in financial damages to Vietnam Electricity (EVN) exceeding VND 1,043 billion (approximately USD 41.2 million).

The prosecution also states that Phuong Hoang Kim, during his tenure as Director General from August 31, 2012, to April 6, 2020, was assigned as head of the drafting team for Decision No. 13.

Despite being aware of government policies and the Prime Minister’s instructions, Kim reportedly attempted to favor Trung Nam – Thuan Nam’s inclusion in the national power development plan and ensure the project received the 9.35 U.S. cents/kWh pricing by circumventing the rules. He allegedly tried to shift responsibility to Deputy Director General Do Duc Quan to lead the drafting team - an action not approved by Vuong.

Kim is accused of failing to guide the drafting team to comply with Resolution 115 and the Prime Minister’s directives, and of not reporting the discrepancies to the Ministry’s leadership. Instead, he directly advised and proposed including the project in the national plan to secure the preferential electricity rate.

His actions, deemed an abuse of power and violation of official duties, also caused losses to EVN estimated at more than VND 1,043 billion (USD 41.2 million).

According to the Supreme People's Procuracy, the actions of Hoang Quoc Vuong, Phuong Hoang Kim, and other defendants are extremely serious.

They are said to have undermined the credibility and proper functioning of state management agencies, diminished public trust, and caused substantial financial damage to the State. As such, strict legal action is warranted.

T. Nhung