Vietnam: Court Urges Family to 'Yield' in Inheritance Dispute

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a protracted inheritance dispute among relatives of the late famous artist Vu Linh (real name Vo Van Ngan) has seen the court repeatedly urging compromise and reconciliation. On September 24, 2023, the Appellate Court of the Supreme People's Court (TAND Tối cao) heard appeals from Vo Thi Hong Nhung, 61, the artist's sister, and Vo Thi Hong Loan, who is identified as the artist's daughter. The disputed assets include properties in Ho Chi Minh City (nhà đất in the Cau Kieu ward, formerly Phu Nhuan district, and land in Hiep Binh ward) and a car. The court emphasized that prolonged inheritance disputes among family members are detrimental to all parties involved, repeatedly advising them to "yield" and "seek common ground." The presiding judge urged the parties to balance emotion with logic, respect the deceased's wishes, preserve family ties, and consider partial concessions to reach a mutual agreement. Hong Loan offered a total of VND 2 billion (approximately USD 82,000) to support her relatives but still disagrees with distributing 15% of the inheritance to Ms. Nhung, asserting her claim as the sole legal heir. Meanwhile, Ms. Nhung seeks to nullify documents related to Hong Loan's adoption, birth certificate, and inheritance khai nhận (acknowledgment) papers. She also claims rights to the nhà đất on Doan Thi Diem Street, which she states Vu Linh gifted to his daughter, Vo Thi Hong Phuong. Ms. Nhung demands 50% of the inheritance if Hong Loan is recognized as an adopted child. Furthermore, there is a disagreement over the valuation of the land in Hiep Binh ward. While the appraisal valued the property at VND 17 billion (approximately USD 700,000), Hong Loan argues that a significant portion is designated for a green park, limiting the usable area. She requested clarification on the exact usable area, the portion within the planned zone, and the land's legal status to allow for a re-evaluation. To address these issues, the court decided to temporarily adjourn the trial to clarify the value of the disputed real estate. This inheritance dispute surfaced about three months after Vu Linh's death in June 2023 and has been ongoing for over three years. Inheritance disputes in Vietnam often become prolonged due to complex family emotions and unclear legal procedures regarding property management. Especially for famous individuals, their assets can be substantial, leading to intense conflicts among relatives.