Visit by UK Envoy boosts collaboration on tackling illegal migration and human trafficking

During his visit, Patrick held a meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Public Security to discuss the review of the 2018 UK – Viet Nam’s MoU on co-operation in tackling human trafficking. This review represents an essential step towards the two countries' continued partnership in tackling serious organised crimes, particularly human trafficking.

The UK Envoy also met with the Border Guard Commander of the Viet Nam Ministry of National Defence and the Director of the Social Vices Prevention Department of the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs. This was done as part of efforts to explore further opportunities to build ties to support and protect victims of human trafficking.

Patrick said, “Tackling illegal migration and modern slavery is one of the UK Government’s top priorities. It is my privilege to be here in Hanoi to drive this priority forward through fruitful discussions with my Vietnamese counterparts.

We are committed to working even more closely with Viet Nam on preventing and fighting against illegal migration and modern slavery, particularly in boosting information-sharing, prosecuting the criminals involved and protecting vulnerable people.”

In the meeting with the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UK Envoy highlighted the positive impact of the ongoing Tackling Modern Slavery in Vietnam Programme, which has been implemented since 2019 with the support from the UK Government.

The programme has helped to raise Vietnamese public awareness of the risks of illegal migration and contributed to the implementation of the Vietnam National Action Plan on tackling human trafficking from 2021 to 2025.