Vietnam has refined its legal framework, strengthened international cooperation, and enhanced public awareness in combating human trafficking as part of the effort to protect human rights.
Comprehensive measures
The Vietnamese Party and State pursue a consistent policy of protecting and ensuring human rights for all, especially women and children. It has placed significant attention on enhancing the legal framework in this area.
The 2011 Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Combat clearly defines the responsibility of state agencies and social organizations in preventing, detecting, handling human trafficking and supporting the victims of human trafficking.
The 2015 Penal Code increased penalties for trafficking offenses, especially those involving children and organized networks.
The Vietnamese government has implemented national programs, notably the Human Trafficking Prevention Program for 2021–2025, with a vision through 2030.
The 2024 Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking, which took effective on July 1, added principles aligned with Vietnam’s international commitments, includingavictim-centered approach, expanding protected groups, and support mechanisms for victims.
Mitsue Pembroke, Acting Head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Vietnam, said: “There have been tremendous strides made by the government of Vietnam. I really want to commend the government of Vietnam, particularly the Ministry of Public Security, for advancing the revision of this law. It’s a true cornerstone. It takes a victim-centered approach, making the definition more specific and expanding the range of services available to those who are rescued, even including those still under investigation.”
Ms. Pembroke said the provision in the revised law to support individuals undergoing identification as victims reflects the humanity of the Vietnamese government.
Alongside legal reforms, Vietnam has intensified public education and communication to raise awareness for high-risk groups. Nguyen Thi Minh Huong, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women’s Union, said technology has been applied to effectively deliver messages on human trafficking prevention and combat and safe migration to the public.
“We organize dialogues between speakers and women and youth to help them be aware of the traffickers’ sophisticated methods. We ask for their creative solutions to increase awareness and empower women and youth to serve as advocates for human trafficking prevention and safe migration,” said Ms. Huong.
Vietnam has signed bilateral and multilateral agreements on anti-human trafficking with China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Australia. Vietnam also participates in regional and global forums and collaborates with international agencies like IOM, UNODC, and UNICEF to enhance capacity, share information, and obtain technical support.
Challenges ahead
Despite progress, combating human trafficking in Vietnam remains highly challenging as the crime continues to evolve with increasingly sophisticated and varied methods.
Colonel Le Hoang Duong, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Department, Ministry of Public Security, said: “The victims are not only women and children but also include men, infants, fetuses, as well as organ trafficking and surrogacy cases. Cross-border trafficking rings operate with growing complexity, severely impacting human rights, causing social and economic harm, threatening national security, and fueling related crimes like illegal immigration, illegal labor, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and cyber fraud.”
Facing these urgent challenges, Vietnam continues to deploy comprehensive, coordinated measures and strengthen multilateral cooperation in the fight against human trafficking globally.