In brief
The BBC has voiced deep concern for the wellbeing of a journalist detained in Vietnam for several months, where they were unable to leave the country due to withheld identification. The journalist traveled to Vietnam to visit family and update their passport but now faces significant restrictions. The situation coincides with a high-profile visit from a Vietnamese political leader to the UK, underlining the ongoing issues of media freedom in the region.
The BBC said it was deeply concerned about the wellbeing of one its journalists who has been unable to leave Vietnam for several months.
The Vietnamese national travelled to the country to visit family and renew their passport, but the document and their ID card have been withheld and they have been subjected to multiple days of questioning, the corporation said in a statement.
The BBC is urging Vietnamese authorities to allow the journalist to leave immediately and return to work by providing the renewed passport.
It comes as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, arrived in the UK on Tuesday, for a visit during which he is expected to meet Sir Keir Starmer.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said the UK's position and track record defending media freedom is clear.
They added: We remain concerned by reported harassment of NGOs, journalists, and rights activists and communities in Vietnam and continue to raise these concerns directly with our Vietnamese counterpart.
Vietnam is a one-party Communist state and has been one of south-east Asia's fastest-growing economies. However, along with its economic growth, the country suffers from high levels of political censorship and a poor record on human rights.
The Communist Party maintains strict control over the media in Vietnam. Media outlets and journalists risk sanctions and arrest for discussing sensitive topics or criticizing the government, while online content viewed as threatening to Communist rule is frequently blocked.
