The Ministry of Public Security raided the villa and initiated legal proceedings against the former Vice Chairman of Da Nang.

From 9:00 AM on March 18th, numerous police officers and prosecutors were present at Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan's residence on Hoang Ke Viem Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang. Mr. Tuan accompanied the group, stepping out of an official vehicle and being escorted into his house.

The Da Nang City Police leadership confirmed that the Investigative Police Agency (Ministry of Public Security) has initiated criminal proceedings against Mr. Tuan, but released him on bail.

Authorities invited Mr. Ho Sy Hoang (Head of Neighborhood Group 22) to witness the announcement of the search warrant. At 10:15 AM, the official vehicle carrying the group of officers left the villa; Mr. Tuan was not among them.

On the same day, the Ministry of Public Security also searched and prosecuted, while releasing on bail, several former leading officials in Da Nang.

Colonel Tran Muu (Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency, Deputy Director of the Da Nang City Police) said that Mr. Tuan and the aforementioned officials are suspected of being involved with Phan Van Anh Vu (Vu "Nhôm") in the case of irregularities in the management of public land in Da Nang.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan was formerly the Director of the Department of Construction before being elected as Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee in 2012. At the end of 2018, he requested early retirement one month before his term ended and was unanimously approved by 100% of the city's People's Council delegates.

In its conclusions published in early March, the Government Inspectorate recommended that the Prime Minister review the responsibilities and take appropriate disciplinary action against the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen of the Da Nang City People's Committee, and related organizations and individuals (during the period 2010-2016) according to the hierarchical structure of officials who allowed violations and shortcomings to occur in the conversion of public land funds, housing facilities, etc.

During this period, Da Nang converted 52 city-managed land and property assets to other purposes. Of these, 31 were resold to tenants; 8 were auctioned; 8 were sold directly; and 5 were leased, allocated for 50 years, or exchanged. The total revenue collected for the budget was 766 billion VND. According to the Government Inspectorate, the total amount of irregularities in determining land use fees for these 52 assets by the Da Nang City People's Committee exceeded 156 billion VND.

In the case involving Phan Van Anh Vu, many leading officials in Da Nang have faced legal consequences. In April 2018, two former chairmen of the Da Nang People's Committee, Tran Van Minh and Van Huu Chien, were prosecuted by the Ministry of Public Security for their actions.Violations of regulations on the management and use of state assets resulting in losses and waste.(according to Article 219 of the 2015 Penal Code) andViolating state regulations on land management.(Article 229 of the 2015 Penal Code).