The United States appreciates Vietnam's positive activities in preventing and combating human trafficking

In a recent interview with Public Security Newspaper, Mrs Uzra Zeya said, key factors for the upgrade included increasing investigations, prosecutions, and convictions for suspected trafficking crimes; identifying and assisting more trafficking victims; repatriating and assisting 4,100 potential victims from online scam operations in neighboring countries; and consulting with non-governmental and international organizations on amendments to the revised 2011 anti-trafficking law and submitting a draft of it to the legislature for review.  

According to Mrs Uzra Zeya, to keep momentum going and maintain Tier 2 status, it is important for Vietnamese agencies to continue addressing the report’s concerns and recommendations for improvement, including proactively screening, identifying, and providing specialized services to trafficking victims, particularly among returnees from online scam operations. Additionally, the United States encourage Vietnam to take steps to proactively screen for and identify any foreign national trafficking victims who may be present in or transiting through Vietnam.  

Both the United States and Vietnam are committed to combating human trafficking, and we have many ways to partner on this important priority, including under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

"Improving law enforcement and broader anti-trafficking cooperation, including against human trafficking, was identified by President Biden and late General Secretary Trong as a priority in their Joint Statement announcing the elevation of US-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Additionally, this was a topic at our inaugural Law Enforcement and Security Dialogue in July 2024. Through discussions, I shared the priorities highlighted in the Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, acknowledging the positive steps Vietnam has taken to combat human trafficking and areas where the United States and Vietnam can cooperate to enhance our collective efforts", Mrs Uzra Zeya said.

She also affirmed that, currently through USAID, the United States is partnering with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to institutionalize training and mentoring for frontline workers so they can better support victims using trauma-informed care models. Through the Department of State, the United States is partnering with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and others to enhance the capacity of frontline officers to screen for potential human trafficking victims, conduct evidence-based human trafficking crime investigations, and support a victim-centered approach to combating human trafficking.

"We are also supporting UN programs to combat forced criminality in online scam operations that include Vietnam. One program will train criminal justice practitioners to identify cases and refer victims to services and another program will raise public awareness in the region and equip private sector companies to identify and respond to use of their systems to promulgate online scam operations. We are committed to supporting our partners in the region including Vietnam, to address online scam operations in the coming years", Mrs Uzra Zeya noted.