Vietnam blocks, interrogates BBC journalist during UK visit

A journalist with BBC has been barred from leaving Vietnam and subjected to repeated interrogations by authorities, raising fresh concerns about press freedoms in the one-party state.

The reporter, a Vietnamese national residing in Thailand, returned to Vietnam in August to renew their passport and visit family. According to the BBC, although a new passport was issued, local police confiscated it—along with the journalist’s ID card—and questioned them for several days about their reporting. 

The incident comes as Vietnam’s leader, Tô Lâm, visits the UK to meet with Keir Starmer and other British officials. Friends of the journalist are calling on the UK government to raise the case during talks and publicly demand the individual’s release and safe exit. 

Press-freedom organisations note that Vietnam is ranked among the world’s lowest in terms of media liberties, citing frequent persecution of independent journalists and bloggers. 

Key Takeaways:

Travel ban and detention: The journalist has been unable to leave Vietnam for several months after authorities confiscated their ID and renewed passport. 

Questioning of journalistic work: Authorities reportedly interrogated the journalist for days, focusing on their articles and sources. 

Diplomatic pressure point: The case coincides with a high-level Vietnam-UK visit, raising questions about how media freedom will be addressed in bilateral discussions. 

Original source:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/29/bbc-journalist-barred-from-leaving-vietnam-and-repeatedly-interrogated