Seeing the social inequities in Vietnam, she became a freelance photojournalist and posted photographs online as an alternative news source to state-controlled media.

[3] She traveled and documented police brutality, government corruption, and peaceful public protest, including the large anti-China demonstration held in Saigon on June 5, 2011.

[3] On January 8–9, 2013, the People's Court of Nghệ An Province held a trial to convict 14 Vietnamese democracy activists, including Nguyễn Đặng Minh Mẫn.

[5] Along with the other activists on trial, Minh Mẫn was also accused of participating in Việt Tân, a pro-democracy organization that aims to establish democracy and reform Vietnam through peaceful and political means.

Soon after, Minh Mẫn launched repeated hunger strikes to raise awareness about ill-treatment towards prisoners of conscience, weighing 35 kg, or about 77 pounds, after her protest.

[2] On November 28, 2013, the UNWGAD had ruled in favor of activists convicted during the same time with Minh Mẫn, stating that Vietnam violated its international human rights obligations and must “immediate[ly] release” the prisoners of conscience.