Father hires thugs to attack son's mistress with acid, break her legs for $8,000

Police said Thursday that the case stemmed from a long-standing affair between the victim, a 30-year-old woman named Huyen, and the married son of Do Van Tan, 49.

Tan paid for the attack after his and his family's multiple unsuccessful attempts to end the relationship.

Do Van Tan (2nd, R) and suspects in a group attack against a woman in Hanoi, at a police station, Feb. 20, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Bich

On Feb. 11, Tan contacted a middleman, Pham Van Ton, 38, to arrange the attack. Ton then recruited four men to carry out the assault, agreeing to inflict severe injuries as instructed by Tan. The attackers prepared hydrochloric acid, a baseball bat, and pepper spray before setting their plan in motion.

The next evening, the group ambushed Huyen outside her rented home in Son Tay Town as she returned. One of the assailants sprayed pepper spray into her eyes before another repeatedly struck her legs with a baseball bat, causing her to collapse. Acid was then poured onto her body before the group fled the scene.

Passersby rushed Huyen to hospital, where doctors confirmed she had sustained chemical burns on her legs, feet, hands, and palms. Both of her legs were fractured, and she also suffered a broken bone in her left hand. She remains hospitalized in stable condition.

On Feb. 13, after confirming that the attack had been carried out as planned, Tan transferred the agreed payment.

Hanoi police have detained Tan, Ton and the attackers charges of intentional infliction of injury and have seized evidence, including acid samples, vehicles, and mobile phones. The investigation is ongoing.