Vietnam arrests publishing executives over book on Ho Chi Minh

Vietnamese police said on Wednesday that they had arrested three executives of a publishing house that released a book about Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the country's Communist Party.

The book, "Stories with Thanh -- A New Account of Light", was written by former telecom executive Nguyen Thanh Nam and was published in May by the Vietnam Writers' Association Publishing House. It describes Ho Chi Minh's years abroad seeking ways to support national liberation in Vietnam. The publisher has recalled the book under pressure from authorities.

Hanoi police said the publishing house's director, editor-in-chief and head of the editorial board had been arrested. Police said they faced the same charge as Nam: producing, possessing, distributing or disseminating information, documents or items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Police said the three were involved in editing, revising, publishing and promoting the book, which authorities said distorted the history of revolutions and the policies and guidelines of the party and state.

Nam was arrested in early July, along with an influencer who promoted the book on social media. In a nationally televised speech last week, Nam apologised for the book and said it contained factual errors and false assertions that went against party and state policy, damaged the image of Ho Chi Minh and caused public confusion.

Also on Wednesday, the culture ministry said it had sanctioned 23 news outlets that published articles praising the book. The ministry said the outlets had acknowledged errors and learned lessons about source verification.

The sanctioned media outlets paid almost $2,500 in fines. More than a dozen staff members involved in publishing the articles were reassigned, suspended or dismissed.

Human Rights Watch says more than 160 critics are currently jailed in Vietnam. AFP reported that Vietnam's communist leaders tolerate little dissent and regularly jail critics.