High-profile Austrian author faces fine over 'false' harassment claims against top Vietnamese publisher's director

Hanoi police said Giang’s Facebook posts accusing Nguyen Nhat Anh, CEO of Nha Nam, of sexual misconduct showed signs of criminal defamation but did not meet the threshold for prosecution. Instead, authorities proposed an administrative fine and asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to revoke Giang’s work permit in Vietnam.

The recommendation was sent to Nha Nam on July 10, after the company requested details of official action taken against Giang. Nha Nam claims Giang’s posts caused "serious damage" to both the company and its director.

"Sexual harassment is a sensitive issue requiring professional handling. Subjective accounts can lead to biased conclusions," the company said, adding it had referred the matter to authorities for formal investigation.

VnExpress has contacted Giang for comment but has received no response.

Giang, 60, an Austrian national, is a well-known author and social activist in Vietnam. His works include "Frustration Does Not Make Us Innocent" and "The Black Ocean". He is also known for his advocacy on women’s and children’s rights.

Police said Giang’s posts on his personal Facebook account "Giang Dang" violated the penal code, which covers abuse of democratic freedoms to infringe upon others’ rights. However, police determined the case did not warrant criminal charges.

The controversy began in April 2024 when Giang emailed Nha Nam to terminate his collaboration, accusing director Nhat Anh of sexually inappropriate behavior toward Giang’s relative, who was an employee at the company. He claimed she was "frightened, distressed and felt disrespected" by Nhat Anh’s allegedly inappropriate words and physical contact. Ten days later, Giang publicly posted the accusations on Facebook.

As the controversy escalated, Nhat Anh posted a public apology on Nha Nam’s official fan page. He admitted to actions showing "affection and concern" toward female staff but denied crossing ethical boundaries, saying he did not anticipate his behavior could cause harm. He was suspended but later reinstated as director in November 2024.

Nha Nam, founded in 2005, is one of Vietnam’s most prominent publishers, known for its high-quality books and loyal readership.