Hanoi man jailed for repeatedly beating woman at apartment complex

Dang Chi Thanh was arrested after a viral video of the incident, which occurred in August last year, sparked widespread public outrage.

The court also ordered Thanh to pay VND51 million (US$2,000) in compensation to the victim.

Defendant Dang Chi Thanh at a court in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Danh Lam

The legal proceedings, originally scheduled for late December, were delayed until this week due to the absence of the defendant's legal counsel. During the hearing, prosecutors detailed the events leading up to the assault, tracing the conflict back to Aug. 4, 2025.

A dispute reportedly erupted at the apartment's playground between Thanh's wife and the victim over the supervision of their children.

The argument escalated when Thanh's wife alleged the other woman's child had struck theirs; when an apology was not forthcoming, she summoned her husband to the scene.

The situation turned violent five days later when Thanh encountered the woman in the apartment lobby.

According to the prosecution, Thanh again demanded an apology, and when the woman refused and attempted to walk away toward the elevators, he pursued her.

Driven by what he described as "anger at being disrespected," Thanh slapped, kicked, and punched the woman repeatedly in front of several witnesses. During the attack, he also used violent language to threaten the lives of the woman and her child.

In his testimony, Thanh admitted to the assault, claiming he "lost control" after a heated exchange in which he felt his family had been insulted.

He told the court that he was under significant personal stress at the time and reacted impulsively when the victim allegedly told him, "No one wants to play with your child."

While acknowledging his use of abusive and threatening language, Thanh maintained he had no genuine intention of carrying out the death threats and that his actions were a misguided attempt to protect his wife and child.

Dang Chi Thanh's assault against a woman at their apartment complext in Hanoi was captured by the building’s security cameras.

The trial panel determined that Thanh's conduct was dangerous to society and necessitated a custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent.

However, the court granted a degree of leniency, noting that this was his first offense and that he had proactively paid VND50 million in compensation prior to the trial to mitigate the consequences of his actions.

In his final statement, Thanh apologized to the victim and the public, citing his wife's pregnancy and her ongoing treatment for depression as reasons for requesting a swift return to his family.