Bribery Scandal: Vietnam's Health Industry Shaken by 3.2 Billion Bribe

Vinex Official
May 15, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jan 15

On May 13, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security arrested Nguyen Thanh Phong, former Director of the Food Safety Department, alongside four officials over a major health supplement bribery case. The allegations involve fast-tracking product registrations for unqualified supplements in exchange for large bribes—allowing unsafe products to reach consumers.

This BRIBERY SCANDAL is more than a headline: it is a warning for every company operating in regulated industries that compliance, documentation, and internal controls are now business-critical in Vietnam.

3.2 Billion Bribe to Legitimize Fake Supplements: The Scandal That Shook Vietnam’s Health Industry

What Happened?

Over 3.2 billion VND in bribes were exchanged to legalize substandard supplements. The scandal involved falsified inspections, rubber-stamped approvals, and hundreds of unsafe products reaching the public.

BRIBERY SCANDAL: The Bribery Mechanism Uncovered

Bribery was methodical and structured: factories failed GMP inspections, yet licenses were approved. Officials processed over 207 product registrations without proper verification.

BRIBERY SCANDAL content block with Vinex business setup banner and Ho Chi Minh City night skyline.

Ignored Violations at GMP Factories

Inspections at MediPhar and MediUSA were nothing more than paperwork reviews. No site visits, no accountability.

Fast-Tracked Product Licensing

VND 2 billion secured near-instant approval of product documents — no questions asked.

Cash Handouts to Top Officials

VND 250 million was delivered in cash, unrecorded and untraceable, following superficial post-approval checks.

The Impact

The cost of corruption goes beyond money. Vulnerable populations consumed ineffective, even harmful products.

Businesses in Crisis

Shortcuts led to long-term damage: lawsuits, reputation loss, and market bans.

If your business imports, distributes, or registers health-related products in Vietnam, this case is a strong reminder to review compliance processes before regulators do. Vinex can help you assess documentation, licensing risk, and build an audit-ready compliance roadmap.

Request a Compliance Risk Review