Buddhist monk in Da Lat sexually abused boys: police

Nguyen Dat Vu, 38, whose monastic names are Thich Nguyen Huy and Thich Van Chanh, is being investigated for the rape of minors.

In 2018 the head monk of the pagoda sent him to a facility in Ward 6, Da Lat, to supervise boys voluntarily sent by their families for learning monastic practices.

Earlier this year some boys’ families reported to the police that Vu had been sexually abusing their children aged nine to 16 at the facility for a long period of time.

Following an investigation, the police said they found evidence that Vu had been committing the crime since around August 2023.

On April 1 they initiated criminal proceedings against him and took him into custody.

Do Ngoc Thanh, a HCMC lawyer who is providing legal support to the victims, said preliminary testimony indicates there are seven victims.

According to insiders, the facility had 10 boys and three have left.

Thanh revealed: "The oldest left after turning 18, returned and asked the younger ones, who all recounted being sexually abused by Vu.

"Afterward that young man contacted the parents of the other boys to inform them. Together, they went to the police and reported him."

According to the Information and Communication Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Lam Dong Province, the location where the incidents occurred is not a legitimate facility managed by the Sangha but is the private residence of an individual household, and the homeowner has passed away.

In November 2024, after receiving information about Vu violating monastic precepts, the Sangha expelled him and revoked his monastic registration.