Vo Minh Chau, a reporter of Tien Phong newspaper, at the hospital after being assaulted by two men using helmets and knives

The Vietnam Journalists Association has called for severe punishments for those involved in the attacks on three local reporters on Wednesday.

“We condemn any physical aggression against journalists and we request strict penalties,” Trung said, noting that Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has also ordered strict punishment against the culprits in both cases.

Nguoi Lao Dong reporter Tran The Dung was beaten by a group of men while he was taking photos for a report on poultry smuggling in the northern province of Lang Son, bordering China.

After the assault, the attackers drove Dung to a local police station, challenging him to seek police help, he said. Dung was later taken to Lang Son Hospital as he had suffered multiple injuries on the whole body including his face.

Two of the attackers were identified on Friday, including the man who drove Dung to the police station.

Also on Wednesday, two reporters of Tien Phong newspaper, Vo Minh Chau and Pham Minh Thuy, were assaulted by two men using helmets and knives. The reporters were reporting on the enforcement of an administrative order on land use in the central province of Ha Tinh’s Ky Tho Commune.

Chau, 60, is still hospitalized in Hanoi.

Police said they were investigating both cases.

Nguyen Van Trach, deputy editor in chief of Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, said assaults on journalists are no longer rare as there were many such incidents last year.

If the attackers are not punished strictly, it would hurt the confidence of journalists, Trach said, asking for more protection for reporters and media personnel.

Reported by Thai Son-Hoang Tuan