Vietnam, UK step up cooperation in combating human trafficking

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Pham The Tung noted that, following the visit to the United Kingdom by Minister of Public Security of Vietnam General Luong Tam Quang, the Ministry of Public Security actively implemented the Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the UK Home Office on migration issues, signed on October 29, 2025 in London.

He further stated that, from March 30 to April 1, 2026, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and UK partner agencies will convene the 4th Vietnam–UK Migration and Immigration Dialogue in London, which is expected to promote closer cooperation between the two sides in immigration management and enforcement, combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as well as discussing approaches to remove obstacles in bilateral cooperation in this field.

To further advance cooperation between the two countries, Deputy Minister Pham The Tung proposed that the Ambassador continue to support the implementation of signed cooperation documents, including the Memorandum of Understanding on combating human trafficking, the Memorandum of Understanding on immigration information sharing, the Memorandum of Understanding on migration issues and the Cooperation Plan on migration.

He also called for increased exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly at the expert level, to share practical experience in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling and to strengthen coordination in stamping out document fraud rings involved in illegal immigration, with a view to bringing offenders to justice.

In addition, the host suggested enhancing training and capacity-building programs on immigration management and foreign languages; coordinating public communication and legal dissemination on safe migration and the prevention of illegal migration; and creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese citizens to get visas to the UK to legally reside, work or study in the country, explaining that it should be viewed as an effective preventive measure against illegal migration.

Deputy Minister Pham The Tung wished to expand cooperation in areas where the UK has strengths, such as combating hi-tech crime, financial crime, money laundering and the production of counterfeit passports and documents.

For his part, Ambassador Iain Frew affirmed that, in his capacity, he would continue to contribute to promoting bilateral cooperation in general and security and law enforcement cooperation in particular, between Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security and UK law enforcement agencies so as to deepen relations between the two countries in a more substantive and effective manner, for safety, stability and development in both countries and globally.