Vietnam Writers' Association Chairman Nguyễn Quang Thiều Removed from All Party Positions

The Central Inspection Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam announced on July 30th the decision to remove Nguyễn Quang Thiều, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers' Association, from all his party positions. This disciplinary action stems from issues related to the publication of a book he was involved with. The commission concluded that the Party Committee of the Vietnam Writers' Association for the 2025-2030 term demonstrated "lack of responsibility, laxity in leadership and direction, and insufficient inspection and supervision," leading to the association failing to fulfill its duties as a supervising body for its publisher. Furthermore, the Party Branch Committee of the Vietnam Writers' Association Publishing House for the 2025-2027 term was found to have violated working regulations and publishing activity rules. The commission identified personal responsibility for these violations resting with Nguyễn Quang Thiều, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Writers' Association; Đào Bá Đoàn, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Branch, Deputy Director, and Editor-in-Chief of the publishing house; Nguyễn Thúy Hằng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch and Director of the publishing house; and Nguyễn Văn Yên, Head of the Editorial Department at the publishing house (also known as writer Yên Ba). Nguyễn Quang Thiều has been removed from all party positions, while Đoàn, Hằng, and Yên have been expelled from the party and are under arrest and detention. The other three individuals had been previously prosecuted and detained. The problematic book was titled "Chuyện với Thanh – Lời kể mới về ánh sáng" (Stories with Thanh – New Accounts of Light), authored by Nguyễn Thành Nam and published by the Vietnam Writers' Association Publishing House. While the book aimed to praise President Hồ Chí Minh, it faced criticism for allegedly using "insulting and trivializing" language towards the leader. The book was subsequently recalled and destroyed. The publishing house was fined 100 million VND (approximately $4,000 USD) and suspended for two months. In connection with the incident, 23 media outlets and numerous journalists and editors who published articles praising the book also faced disciplinary actions. This development is particularly noteworthy given that less than a year ago, in September 2025, Nguyễn Quang Thiều, in his capacity as Chairman of the Writers' Association, proposed the development of educational materials for students from grades 1 to 12 focusing on revolutionary ideals, the Communist Party of Vietnam, and President Hồ Chí Minh. This initiative received strong support from General Secretary Tô Lâm. The disciplinary action against Nguyễn Quang Thiều underscores the strict enforcement of party discipline within Vietnam, even against prominent figures in the ideological and cultural sphere. Nguyễn Quang Thiều, born in 1957, is a poet and writer who has served as Chairman of the Vietnam Writers' Association since 2020. He received the State Award for Literature and Arts in 2017 and has published numerous poetry and prose collections. © 2026 BBC. BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Learn how we approach linking to external websites.