Dear readers,
Hope this letter finds you well.
As we step into October, we invite you to look back at last month’s major updates and highlights at Legal Initiatives for Vietnam (LIV).
THE STORIES STATE MEDIA WON’T TELL:
Exposing Land Grabs, Internet Censorship, and Rising Youth Resistance
Here are highlights of LIV’s key publications and video coverage from September, uncovering state-sanctioned land grabs, digital censorship, and the growing youth movements demanding accountability and seeking freedom of speech in Việt Nam.
News Reporting: On the Frontlines of Displacement – Exposing Megaprojects and Civilian Resistance
As major infrastructure projects fuel widespread local pushback, Luật Khoa Magazine and The Vietnamese continue to break the silence to give voice to affected communities:
- Read: the Red River Project in Hà Nội.
- Read: the Safari Project in Ba Vì.
Featured Story: The Other Half of Hà Nội, The Life Beyond The Ceramic Wall
Behind Hà Nội’s iconic ceramic mosaic dike, a $27B mega-development plan threatens to uproot thousands. Expanding on our land-grab coverage, this piece exposes the human cost of imminent displacement in riverside communities.
Must-Read Article: Reddit’s Growing Popularity in Việt Nam Amid Internet Censorship
As censorship tightens on mainstream social media, Vietnamese youth are flocking to pseudonymous subreddits, creating a thriving digital sanctuary to candidly discuss politics, state scandals, and topics omitted from state media.
Video Highlight: How Did Nguyễn Sỹ Cương Escape Accountability? Family Connections or Party Protection?
In this video on our YouTube channel, Luật Khoa Tạp Chí, we break down the hit-and-run scandal involving former National Assembly representative Nguyễn Sỹ Cường. The incident sparked widespread youth outrage and fueled the “justice tree” movement across social platforms, particularly Threads.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Project Manager, Managing Editor & News Editor
LIV is seeking qualified candidates for three open positions:
If you are passionate about independent media for Việt Nam – or know someone who is – please check out our open positions or share this opportunity with your network!
STANDING FOR JUSTICE
Human Rights Advocacy & Organizational Milestones
A look at LIV’s organizational updates, coalition work, and global human rights campaigns throughout September – standing alongside courageous defenders and calling for the release of political prisoners.
LIV Receives Grant from the Lê Đình Điểu and Diane Lê Memorial Fund
On September 8, 2026, LIV was honored to receive a grant administered through the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), facilitated by the Lê Đình Điểu and Diane Lê Memorial Fund.
Safeguarding the talawas’ Legacy: Announcing the Website Acquisition
On September 12, LIV officially acquired talawas from Phạm Thị Hoài and the founding team. This initiative aims to preserve one of the earliest and most vital independent online publications in the history of Vietnamese journalism.
Phạm Đoan Trang Honored with 2026 Vaclav Havel ‘Disturbing the Peace’ Award
On September 22, the Vaclav Havel Center named LIV’s co-founder Phạm Đoan Trang as the laureate of its 2026 “Disturbing the Peace” Award for a Courageous Writer at Risk. The organization honored her unwavering commitment to defending freedom of expression in the face of systemic political persecution.
LIV Joins Coalition Urging the Release of Sophia Huang Xueqin
On September 15, as journalist and prominent #MeToo activist Sophia Huang Xueqin approaches the end of her unjust five-year prison sentence, LIV joined fellow civil society organizations to call on the Chinese authorities to ensure her immediate release.
LIV Urges U.S. Secretary of State to Prioritize Release of Vietnamese Journalists
On September 16, LIV, alongside nine other prominent human rights and advocacy organizations, issued a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The letter urgently calls on the U.S. Department of State to prioritize the release of four imprisoned Vietnamese writers and journalists during the upcoming high-level engagement between the United States and Việt Nam.
Thank you for standing with us in our mission to promote human rights and the rule of law in Việt Nam. See you next month with more updates!
Legal Initiatives for Vietnam (LIV)
info@liv.ngo
4th Floor, RIIC Building, National Chengchi University
No. 64, Sec. 2, Zhinan Rd., Wenshan Dist.
Taipei City, Taiwan (ROC) 116
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