Two members of Viet Tan, Nguyen Duc Thuan and Tran Hiep, have been missing in Cambodia since Sept. 18, 2026. To date, their families and colleagues have received no information about their whereabouts. (Photo:viettan.org)
Two ethnic Vietnamese Catholics — an Australian and a Norwegian — have gone missing in Cambodia after meeting with activists from the Viet Tan movement, which advocates for a free and democeacy. As reported by UCA news on 28 September 2026.
Nguyen Duc Thuan and Tran Hiep are long-time human rights defenders. Clearly, this is not an ordinary missing persons case. They disappeared 10 days ago. Friends and family want to know: Where is Thuan? Where is Hiep? If Vietnamese intelligence agents operating in Cambodia had a hand in their disappearance or abduction, then this must be brought to light and the Hanoi government must be accountable for acts of transnational repression, Hoang told UCA News.
Both men flew into Phnom Penh on Sept. 15 from Bangkok and were scheduled to leave Sept. 19, but they never boarded their flights, Hoang said, adding Hiep last spoke with his mother on Sept. 18 about an upcoming family birthday.
United States-based Viet Tan is banned in Vietnam and is officially designated as a terrorist organization. Its members have been handed lengthy jail terms for plotting to overthrow the country’s one-party communist government.
However, human rights groups are increasingly concerned about transnational repression, alleging Southeast Asian countries were turning a blind eye to foreign governments, extending their reach beyond national borders to harass and silence their critics.
While details are still a bit sketchy, the sudden disappearance of these two Viet Tan activists has all the hallmarks of transnational repression, said Phil Robertson, Director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates.
Hoang said Viet Tan members in Vietnam and around the world had for many years connected regularly with activists and civil society organizations to exchange ideas and offer mutual support while Thuan and Hiep were also active in their local communities.
Since news of their disappearance became known, several Catholic congregations have planned prayer vigils for their safe return and posted messages in support.
Hoang said Viet Tan was working closely with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in trying to locate the pair.
https://www.ucanews.com/amp/ethnic-vietnamese-activists-missing-in-cambodia/115523
Just came in: What initially appeared to be the disappearance of two activists in Cambodia has now developed into a case involving three countries, allegations of terrorism and accusations of transnational repression. Vietnamese authorities have since confirmed that Hiep and Thuan are in custody in Vietnam. Their organisation, Viet Tan, says something very different happened from the official account: according to the group, the two men were abducted while still in Cambodia and forcibly transported across the border into Vietnam. ABC News
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