Viet Nam: Activist Bùi Tuấn Lâm Held in Solitary Confinement

Since 2023, Vietnamese activist and well-known noodle seller Bùi Tuấn Lâm, also known as “Green Onion Bae,” has been imprisoned in Xuân Lộc prison in Đồng Nai province. Authorities detained him for posting videos on social media that addressed social issues and human rights concerns.

Since April 2025, prison authorities have subjected him to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. He has been held in solitary confinement without access to clean water, electricity, or adequate lighting. As a result, his eyesight has begun to deteriorate after being kept in a dark cell for prolonged periods.

Without urgent improvements to his detention conditions, his health and overall well-being are at serious risk. Bùi Tuấn Lâm is detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and must be immediately and unconditionally released.

Here’s what you can do:

Write to the State President urging him to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release Bùi Tuấn Lâm, as he is detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
• Pending his release, ensure Bùi Tuấn Lâm is treated in full accordance with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, including protection from torture and other ill-treatment, and access to adequate health care.

A long history of peaceful activism and community support

Bùi Tuấn Lâm, also known as Peter Lam Bui or “Green Onion Bae” (Thánh Rắc Hành), has been an activist and human rights defender since 2013.

He volunteered with the Catholic community in Viet Nam, helped establish relief funds for people affected by injustice, and took part in peaceful protests on territorial sovereignty, environmental protection, and human rights.

He also shared his views on social issues and human rights through videos and posts on social media.

Harassment, surveillance, and online expression

For more than ten years, Bùi Tuấn Lâm and his wife have faced ongoing harassment and surveillance by local authorities. Police summoned and questioned him multiple times because of his peaceful activism. In November 2021, police in Da Nang summoned him after one of his videos went viral on Facebook.

In the video, he served street noodles using gestures that referenced a widely shared clip of Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe, known as Salt Bae. The video responded to public anger after Viet Nam’s Minister of Public Security was seen dining at an expensive London restaurant.

Many people began calling Bùi Tuấn Lâm “Green Onion Bae” following the satirical post. His Facebook and YouTube channels, with more than 12,000 followers, often used humour to discuss human rights and social issues.

Arrest, conviction, and international concern

On September 7, 2022, authorities arrested Bùi Tuấn Lâm under Article 117 of the 2015 Criminal Code, which criminalizes so-called propaganda against the state and is frequently used against human rights defenders. The offence carries a possible sentence of up to 12 years in prison.

On April 6, 2023, his wife, Lê Thanh Lâm, received notice that the investigation had ended. Authorities later sentenced him to five years and six months in prison. According to his family, the conviction is based on dozens of videos he posted on Facebook and YouTube.

In 2023, Amnesty International condemned his arbitrary arrest and unfair trial.

Please take action as soon as possible until June 10, 2026. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.