The BBC is “deeply concerned” that the journalist cannot leave Vietnam

The BBC said it was “deeply concerned” for the welfare of one of its journalists, who has been unable to leave Vietnam for several months.

The Vietnamese national had traveled to the country to visit his family and renew his passport, but their document and identity card were seized and they were subjected to “multi-day interrogation”, the corporation said in a statement.

The BBC is demanding that the Vietnamese authorities allow the journalist to leave immediately and return to work by providing the renewed passport.

It comes after Communist Party of Vietnam Secretary-General To Lam arrived in the UK on Tuesday for a visit where he is expected to meet Sir Keir Starmer.

A Foreign Office spokesman said “the UK’s position and record in protecting media freedom is clear”.

They added: “We remain concerned by the reported harassment of NGOs, journalists and human rights activists and communities in Vietnam and continue to raise these concerns directly with our Vietnamese counterpart.”

Vietnam is a one-party communist country and is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia.

But alongside its economic growth, the country has high levels of political censorship and a poor human rights record.

The Communist Party has strong control over the media in Vietnam.

Media outlets and journalists risk sanctions and arrest for raising sensitive topics and criticizing the government, while online content deemed to threaten communist rule is blocked.