Editor’s note: The recent arrests of several organized crime bosses have highlighted the relentless efforts of law enforcement in the battle against criminal syndicates. Capturing these kingpins not only weakens their gangs and thwarts illegal activities but also contributes to restoring public order.

VietNamNet revisits the profiles of notorious crime bosses to reflect on the long and determined struggle of law enforcement against organized crime.

Nam Cam's path to becoming a crime boss

Nam Cam, born Truong Van Cam in 1947, was the fifth child in a poor family in Ho Chi Minh City. He showed rebellious tendencies from a young age and gained notoriety for his violent turf wars as an adult.

Reckless and steeped in the underworld, Nam Cam was mentored by Huynh Ty, an influential Saigon gangster, and also served under the infamous crime lord Dai Cathay. Under their guidance, he learned to run gambling dens.

His initial foray into organized crime began as a lookout and dealer for a gambling den operated by his brother-in-law, Nguyen Van Sy (also known as Bay Sy). In December 1962, Bay Sy stabbed a man named Nguyen Van Lot (Tran Anh Tuyet) to death to protect a gambling den in the Da Heo area.

To shield his brother-in-law, Nam Cam took the fall. At just 15, he was sentenced by a Saigon court in April 1964 to three years in prison for "intentionally causing grievous bodily harm." He was released in January 1965.

After his release, Nam Cam served in the military from 1966 until the end of the Vietnam War on April 30, 1975, manipulating his way into a logistics role. He later sold secondhand watches and radios at the Huynh Thuc Khang black market in District 1.

By 1977, he had returned to gambling, opening dens in District 1. From 1978 to 1994, Nam Cam was repeatedly arrested for illegal gambling operations.

His constant run-ins with the law only amplified his reputation. His criminal activities grew increasingly sophisticated. Despite multiple prison sentences, Nam Cam always returned to the gambling scene, as it was his primary source of income.

Building an empire, recruiting notorious criminals, and corrupting officials

By 1995, leveraging his extensive underworld connections, Nam Cam managed a vast gambling network in Ho Chi Minh City, including card games, cockfighting, and soccer betting. He also extorted protection money from restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels.

To bolster his power, he recruited notorious gangsters from across Vietnam, including Nguyen Ngoc Chung (Chung Tam), Nguyen Tuan Hai (Hai “Banh”), Tran Quoc Son (Son “Bach Tang”), Nguyen Anh Minh (Cu Nhut), Chau Phat Lai Anh and Lai Em, Muoi Lu, and Hai “Hap.”

Profits from his gambling empire funded private enterprises and smuggling operations. These businesses helped each other evade law enforcement and launder money.

Nam Cam established ties with criminal groups from Ho Chi Minh City, the northern provinces, and abroad, becoming the undisputed leader of Vietnam’s underworld. He was often called upon to mediate disputes between rival gangs, earning him near-universal respect among criminals.

To ensure the longevity of his operations, Nam Cam invested heavily in bribing and co-opting corrupt state officials and law enforcement personnel.

In early 1995, aware he was under investigation, Nam Cam traveled to Hanoi to seek help from Nguyen Van Thang (Thang “Tai Dau”), who introduced him to Tran Van Thuyet. He gave Thuyet $10,000 to lobby on his behalf. Thuyet advised him to write a petition claiming innocence and tried to prevent his forced rehabilitation, but failed.

Even while in a rehabilitation camp, Nam Cam bribed officials and pretended to reform. He manipulated his way into an early release by seven months.

Released in October 1997, he wasted no time resuming his gambling operations. By October 1999, he had reopened a dice gambling den in District 8, assigning To Van Tot to rent premises while he focused on attracting wealthy gamblers and greasing palms for protection.

Nam Cam collected a 5% commission from each winning bet, using the revenue to pay for rent, security, and bribes. He allocated 2 million VND (about $130 at the time) daily for “diplomatic expenses.”

The murder of crime queen Dung Ha

While Nam Cam reigned in the south, Vu Hoang Dung (Dung Ha) was a feared figure in the north. In the late 1990s, they were the most powerful crime lords in Vietnam.

After a rough stint following her release from prison in 1998, Dung Ha moved south. Nam Cam hoped to recruit her, but she refused and sought to carve out her own turf.

Dung Ha disrupted Nam Cam’s nightclub Monaco, clashed with his gambling operations in Dong Nai, and organized other provocations.

On September 29, 1999, she sabotaged Nam Cam’s Phi Thuyen nightclub, under Hai “Banh’s” protection, by staging a fake birthday party where 20 gang members hurled shrimp paste, dead rats, feces, and snakes onto the dance floor. Enraged, Nam Cam ordered Hai “Banh” to eliminate her.

At 12:25 a.m. on October 2, 2000, following Hai “Banh’s” instructions, Nguyen Viet Hung (Hung “Phi Nhon”) and Nguyen Xuan Truong (Truong “Xoan”) shot Dung Ha in the head outside a karaoke bar in District 1. Her body was returned to Hai Phong for burial.

Unraveling the criminal empire: Operation Z501

Since 1995, Nam Cam had been under surveillance by the Ministry of Public Security. That May, he was detained for rehabilitation as authorities built a case against him. However, through bribes, he was released early and resumed his criminal enterprises more brazenly than before.

By late 1999, a special task force was established to investigate him, but it initially failed. His crimes became increasingly violent and lawless.

In May 2001, the Ministry launched a new investigation called Operation Z501, led by Major General Nguyen Viet Thanh.

After Dung Ha’s death, General Thanh convened a meeting with police from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Nam Dinh. Initial suspicions pointed to a Hanoi gangster named Hoang Han, but a Hai Phong officer presented new evidence suggesting a group of 12 hitmen had traveled from Hanoi to assassinate Dung Ha.

This led investigators to uncover the truth: Nguyen Tuan Hai, or Hai “Banh,” had ordered the hit on Nam Cam’s behalf.

Following Hai’s arrest, he confessed that Nam Cam had ordered the killing. Authorities then began 24/7 surveillance of Nam Cam, tracking his movements and associates.

On October 9, 2001, police raided one of his gambling dens in District 8. By December 12, Nam Cam and his gang were arrested. The investigation concluded in October 2002.

On February 25, 2003, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court began the trial of Nam Cam and 154 accomplices - the largest in Vietnam’s history at the time.

Nam Cam denied ordering Dung Ha’s murder, claiming he had merely told Hai “Banh” to negotiate. He also denied running the gambling ring, blaming To Van Tot (Ba Manh) and Nguyen Van Nha.

However, Nguyen Van Nha testified that Nam Cam received profits from the gambling operation and gave final approval for its activities.

Nam Cam also denied bribing officials.

The trial, expected to last 55 days, stretched to over three months. On June 5, 2003, Nam Cam was sentenced to death for murder, bribery, assault, gambling, organizing gambling, harboring criminals, and helping others flee abroad.

He appealed for leniency, but the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence.

On June 3, 2004, Nam Cam was executed, ending the life of Vietnam’s most notorious crime boss.

Thanh Phuong