Vietnam Authorities Charge Man in Assault Case Involving American Student

In Vietnam, authorities have formally charged a man with the rape of an American student. Nguyen Thi Quynh Tam, aged 24, reported that she was assaulted while in bed during a group holiday.

According to Tam, she was raped on July 5. The perpetrator’s family allegedly pressured her to accept money instead of going to the police. Initially, the police also reportedly advised settling the case privately.

The Associated Press usually maintains confidentiality for individuals claiming sexual assault, except when they choose to speak publicly. Tam has chosen to be identified, hoping her story might help protect other women. She stated, “I’m doing this not just for me. But for everybody else that has been harmed.”

Her story has been verified through interviews and official complaints to the police, as well as communications with U.S. and Vietnamese authorities. After she sought help from U.S. officials and a U.S. lawmaker, Vietnam confirmed the legal charge against the 23-year-old man involved in the case.

Vietnam’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Pham Thu Hang, confirmed that legal actions are in line with Vietnamese law, but did not comment on the alleged police pressure to settle.

The man charged did not respond to queries from the AP sent via social media.

Background of the Incident

Tam, who lived in the United States since she was five, returned to Vietnam in May for a banking internship. She wanted to reconnect with her family’s roots and joined acquaintances on a trip to Phu Tho, a resort near Hanoi, on July 4.

After a late night, Tam was locked out of the room she planned to sleep in. She found another room and fell asleep with the door unlocked. She later awoke to the man kissing her neck. According to her complaint, she resisted but he continued his advances, culminating in rape. She documented the incident by messaging her boyfriend in the U.S. that night.

Others from the trip reportedly informed her that the man came from a wealthy, politically-connected family, which left her uncertain about next steps. The AP has reviewed her initial messages and an apology from the man.

Attempts to Settle

On July 9, the man apologized twice, once in writing and once over the phone. The AP accessed the phone recording and note, corroborating Tam’s account. On July 11, Tam and some family friends had a meeting with the man’s father who suggested compensation in exchange for not involving the police.

The father, in an email to the AP, claimed the interaction between his son and Tam had been “intimate” but denied any intent to influence her decision about legal action.

Challenges with the Legal System

Following Tam’s police report on July 21, she experienced distress when asked by police to reenact the incident in the room where it took place. She felt this retraumatization profoundly, stating, “A part of me is gone. And it’s in that room.”

The next day, police urged her to meet the accused and sign a statement refusing a rape kit and attorney. She declined. Police allegedly pressured her to settle the matter during her hospitalization for mental health, according to Tam.

Tam sought assistance at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi but claimed that support was minimal. She was either advised to report to Vietnamese authorities or return to the U.S. Following a call from her father to Senator Ted Cruz, the embassy phoned her to apologize.

The State Department acknowledged they are aware of her case but cited legal and privacy constraints in providing further information. They emphasized that the safety and security of Americans is their priority.