Vietnam hopes to step up efforts to curb human trafficking
HANOI – Human trafficking continues to be a serious concern in Vietnam, with recent cases shedding light on the increasingly complex methods used by traffickers. In one instance, Giang Van Thanh (name changed for confidentiality), a resident of Bac Lieu Province, fell victim to promises of a lucrative job abroad. A stranger offered Thanh an easy job with a high income in Myanmar, covering all immigration costs and offering a monthly salary of VNĐ30 million. However, upon arriving in Myanmar, Thanh was held captive, beaten, and subjected to forced labor. After managing to escape, he was able to contact the authorities and return home.
Another victim, Nguyen Thi Ngoc (name changed for confidentiality) from Ninh Binh Province, experienced a traumatic ordeal when she was sold as a prostitute after meeting a man on Facebook. Despite her escape attempts, Ngoc faced capture and physical abuse. Sadly, she continues to suffer from severe physical and mental health issues.
These heart-wrenching stories of human trafficking highlight the urgency and complexity of the issue in Vietnam. The problem extends beyond the country’s borders, with reports of trafficking activities at casinos and online businesses owned by foreigners along the Vietnam-Cambodia and Vietnam-Laos borders. Forced labor, online fraud, and sexual exploitation are among the prevalent forms of trafficking.
It is estimated that many Vietnamese citizens, lured by the promise of employment, have been deceived into illegally crossing the border into Cambodia, only to be coerced into exploitative work with no means of returning home unless they pay a substantial sum of money. Similar patterns have been observed in Laos, particularly in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, where human trafficking has been on the rise.
The sea route, particularly in southern provinces, has also seen an increase in human trafficking activities. Women and teenage girls are often targeted for sexual exploitation, further exacerbating the problem.
According to the Government’s Steering Committee for Crime Prevention and Control, the number of human trafficking victims has been on the rise, with 254 cases reported as of August this year, compared to 222 in 2022. Alarming statistics indicate that transnational cases accounted for over 85% of the total cases from 2012 to 2020. However, domestic human trafficking is also increasing, constituting over 45% of the total cases in 2022 alone.
Recognizing the urgent need to combat human trafficking, organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) emphasize the importance of reviewing and amending the Law on Trafficking in Persons Prevention and Combat. The existing law, implemented in 2012, requires updates to address outdated articles and tackle the sophisticated tactics employed by traffickers. Additionally, the establishment of a centralized trafficking database, encompassing victims’ data and their support needs, is deemed crucial to effectively address the issue.
Reintegration shelters have been established in human trafficking hotspots across Vietnam to offer support and assistance to victims. These shelters provide safe accommodation, essential services, healthcare, counseling, life skills training, and vocational programs to facilitate victims’ reintegration into society. Notable examples include the reintegration shelter in Lao Cai Province, which has assisted 275 victims over the past 13 years, and the Peace House and Blue Dragon Children’s shelter in Hanoi, which have rescued and supported 26 victims.
The coordination among various sectors and localities remains crucial in combating human trafficking. Through the establishment of networks and the prioritization of victim-focused solutions, Vietnam aims to address this pressing issue and protect its citizens from the devastating consequences of trafficking. It is imperative that the country continues to implement comprehensive measures, both domestically and internationally, to ensure the safety and well-being of its people.
