The Vietnamese authorities have arrested a social media activist named "Son Nai Tran" for posting critical reports about the local car manufacturer VinFast on Facebook.

Tran, a 37-year-old individual, posted several critical articles about the car company VinFast in a Facebook group called "Financial Scandals."

His posts included titles such as "How VinFast Concealed Itself," "Full Disclosure of the Developers Behind VinFast's Car Lines," and "VinFast Sued in the United States for Poor-Quality Vehicles."

In his posts, the social media activist made allegations that VinFast's cars were originally designed by Indian and Chinese manufacturers. He also reported legal issues in the United States, where the automaker is trying to establish its presence. Additionally, Tran claimed that VinFast is associated with several fake companies, supposedly aimed at hiding losses and engaging in complex financial transactions. He emphasized that the articles were written to inform investors but apparently angered the car manufacturer.

VinFast accused the social media activist Tran of violating Article 331 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code, according to an anonymous source speaking to the media. This law seeks to punish individuals who harm the interests of the state or organizations and individuals by abusing their right to freedom of expression.

According to a post on Reddit, Tran was detained in Ho Chi Minh City for a total of about 35 hours over four separate days. His electronic devices were reportedly confiscated, and he was questioned about his articles and whether any organizations supported him.

This is not the first time a Vietnamese car manufacturer has called upon authorities due to criticism. In May 2021, VinFast reported YouTuber "Tran Van Hoang" to the police for a video expressing pride in owning a VinFast car but highlighting some issues. VinFast publicly acknowledged reporting the customer to the police, citing "inaccurate" complaints received in those videos.

VinFast told Reuters at the time, "This is the first time we've reported someone to the authorities to protect our reputation and customers." The company added, "If a similar incident happens while working in the United States, we will also file a request with the authorities according to local law to protect our legal rights."

As reported by The Drive, nearly all American media outlets criticized the new VinFast VF8 car, with complaints about its quality. MotorTrend jokingly mentioned driving pre-production models that were more ready for production than the actual car being produced.