Nguyễn Văn Hoá

Nguyễn Văn Hoá (born 1995) is a Vietnamese citizen from Ha Tinh Province. He was arrested and charged for "abusing democratic freedoms" under Article 258 of the Vietnamese Penal Code. His charges were later changed to "conducting propaganda against the state" under Article 88 of the Vietnamese Penal Code before being sentenced to seven years prison.

Activism Hoá has been active in assisting families affected by the 2016 Vietnam Marine Life Disaster, caused by the Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Plant in April 2016. He helped assist affected fishermen seek compensation and environmental justice. He recorded videos of the environmental protests using a Flycam drone, and published them on various social media platforms.

2017 Arrest and Sentence Nguyễn Văn Hoá was arrested in Ha Tinh on January 11, 2017. Hoá had his equipment including his mobile phone and camera seized whilst working on an assignment.

Hoá has been held incommunicado in Ha Tinh Province.

Hoá's arrest was a part of a series of arrests of several activists by Vietnamese authorities in days leading up to the Tet holiday.

International Response Committee to Protect Journalists's senior Southeast Asia representative Shawn Crispin stated that "Vietnam should stop treating journalists like criminals and Nguyễn Văn Hoá should be freed immediately, and without charge."

To mark World Press Freedom Day, more than 25 international digital and human rights groups released a statement on May 3, 2017, regarding Nguyễn Văn Hoá's detention. The statement said: "With mounting social and environmental challenges, the government of Vietnam should welcome transparency and peaceful dialogue. Repressing citizen journalists is not only a violation of human rights but also a major impediment to Vietnam's aspirations to become a tech and innovation hub."