Policies and Implementations to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Persons in Vietnam

As similar as different countries in the Southeast Asian region, Vietnam has considered as both destination and transition hub in human trafficking in recent years. To deal with this modern slavery disaster, the Government of Vietnam had established and applied many strategies and policies from 2000 until the present. Apart from the positive contributions to prevent and combat human trafficking, Vietnam is still facing potential risks and possible threats of human trafficking, particularly with transnational trafficking in person. The paper provides the overall context of current trends and patterns of human trafficking in Vietnam with some specific characteristics of traffickers and its related victims as well as analyses primary modus operandi of this crime in domestic and international markets. The next section reviews two new national action plans, 2011-2015 and 2016-2020, with its specific objectives, targets, and activities. The paper concretizes two main projects in the national strategies, including improving prevention and combat human trafficking and enhance international cooperation to fight this battle between Vietnam and partners. Finally, some recommendation to solve trafficking in persons in Vietnam’s context that also call for further discussion and exchange between scholars and policy-makers.