Vietnam and UNODC Strengthen Cooperation in Combating Human Trafficking

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The event attracted nearly 140 participants, including ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations in Vietnam; representatives of ministries, sectors and local authorities; non-governmental organizations; as well as numerous experts and speakers working in the field of anti-human trafficking.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang speaks at the event. (Photo: People’s Public Security Newspaper)

According to the People’s Public Security Newspaper, delivering the opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang stated that in recent years, human trafficking in the region and around the world has become increasingly complex. Trafficking networks have increasingly exploited online platforms, social media and new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to recruit victims through tactics such as advertising “easy jobs with high pay,” romance scams and investment fraud, with the aim of sexual exploitation, forced labor or forcing victims to commit crimes.

According to Le Thi Thu Hang, the growing trafficking of people into scam centers has become a challenge for many countries, threatening security, social order and safety, causing economic losses and undermining human security.

She affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to combating human trafficking and is actively implementing the Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking 2024, as well as the Program on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking for the 2026-2030 period with a vision to 2035. These initiatives emphasize strict action against acts that exploit cyberspace and high technology to lure and organize human trafficking. Vietnam also stands ready to further strengthen cooperation with countries, international organizations and relevant partners to effectively prevent, detect and handle such crimes, based on a victim-centered approach.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis noted that prevention efforts require closer cooperation with technology companies and online platforms, where services are often exploited by traffickers to deceive and recruit victims. By upholding international standards on business and human rights, companies play an important role in identifying and mitigating risks of exploitation associated with their platforms.

John McIntyre, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the US Embassy in Vietnam, emphasized that the US stands ready to continue cooperating with the Government of Vietnam, UNODC, the International Justice Mission (IJM) and all regional partners to raise awareness, strengthen prevention, enhance law enforcement cooperation and support trafficking victims. He affirmed that such cooperation will make a meaningful difference.

Within the framework of the event, experts from Southeast Asia presented the broader context of human trafficking for the purpose of forcing victims to commit crimes in scam centers, introduced UNODC’s #TrappedInScamCrime campaign, and shared experiences in building a safer digital environment.

Delegates at the event. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

The Nhan Dan Newspaper quoted Dr. Rebecca Miller, Regional Coordinator on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling at the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, as saying that the region is witnessing large-scale human exploitation. Victims of trafficking are being forced to carry out scams for profit, yet they themselves often face legal consequences.

“We must stop treating trafficked persons as suspects and instead focus on dismantling transnational organized crime networks that are earning billions of dollars from these criminal activities,” Dr. Rebecca Miller said.

At the event, participants also joined a thematic discussion on combating trafficking into scam centers and supporting victims’ return, with the participation of representatives from the Ministries of Public Security, National Defence, Health and Foreign Affairs. The parties agreed to strengthen coordination and promote community engagement in implementing the campaign in Vietnam.

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