The decision to uphold the ruling returning the child to the Vietnamese mother has been appealed.

Mr. Stefane Azais, the French boyfriend of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, has appealed the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court's decision to uphold the French court ruling compelling him to hand over the child to Ms. Huyen.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen (right) and her lawyer. Photo: Hoang Diep

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court has just notified Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen (32 years old, residing in Khanh Hoa province) that the decision recognizing and enforcing the judgment of the French court in Vietnam, issued by that court, has been entirely appealed by Mr. Stefane Azais (a French businessman and Huyen's boyfriend).

Previously, on May 31st, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court issued a decision recognizing the entire judgment of the French court and enforcing that judgment in Vietnam regarding the child custody dispute between Ms. Huyen and her boyfriend.

According to the decision, Huyen and Mr. Stefane Azais had a romantic relationship before 2013, but later had a falling out which led to their breakup. In 2014, Huyen gave birth to Thien Kim and was issued a birth certificate by the French diplomatic agency.

However, after Thien Kim was 3 months old, Mr. Azais took her away (to France), preventing Huyen from ever seeing her child.

Ms. Huyen traveled all the way to France to file a lawsuit against Mr. Azais. In June 2016, the Albi court, with broad jurisdiction, ruled that Mr. Azais must immediately hand over baby Thien Kim to Ms. Huyen.

However, immediately after the verdict was announced, Mr. Azais took Thien Kim back to Vietnam, preventing Ms. Huyen from seeing her child.

Therefore, Ms. Huyen submitted a request to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court to issue a decision recognizing the entire judgment in Vietnam and enforcing this judgment.

According to the ruling, Huyen will be responsible for the child's care, upbringing, and passport. Mr. Azais will be responsible for paying the child's tuition at an international school. He will also have the right to visit Thien Kim.

According to Tuoi Tre newspaper