[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

VIETNAM (Tier 2 Watch List) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of Vietnam does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government made key achievements during the reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Vietnam was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List. These achievements included initiating more investigations, prosecuting and convicting more traffickers, increasing international law enforcement cooperation, and initiating criminal proceedings against allegedly complicit officials. The government also identified and assisted more victims and implemented protections for overseas workers. Despite these achievements, the government did not proactively identify victims exploited in forced labor in cyber scam operations as trafficking victims or provide them with services, including foreign national victims identified in Vietnam. Authorities inspected thousands of the most at-risk establishments for sex trafficking but only identified two victims, despite widespread prevalence at such sites.

Prioritized Recommendations

Collaborate with NGOs and civil society to revise anti-trafficking laws, including by amending the penal code to fully criminalize the sex trafficking of 16- and 17-year-old children consistent with international law.

Investigate and prosecute traffickers, including labor traffickers and complicit officials, and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should involve significant prison terms.

In coordination with civil society, update and train officials on victim identification guidelines, and enhance interagency coordination to identify and assist victims among vulnerable groups, including migrant workers; individuals in commercial sex, including women and girls discovered during law enforcement actions and inspections of business establishments that facilitate commercial sex; child laborers; individuals fleeing cyber scam operations; and People’s Republic of China (PRC) nationals.

Train officials on implementing guidelines for Articles 150 and 151 of the penal code, with a focus on identifying and investigating labor trafficking and internal trafficking cases, including those involving male victims.

Finalize and implement revisions to the 2014 NRM.

Eliminate all worker-paid recruitment fees and predatory recruitment practices for workers migrating abroad or to Vietnam; strengthen efforts to monitor labor recruitment companies, third-party sub-brokers, and the protections outlined in migrant worker contracts; and prosecute predatory or illegal sub-brokerage networks.

Expand training for social workers, first responders, diplomats, and the judiciary on trauma-informed care and other victim-centered approaches to working with victims of trafficking.

Implement and allocate sufficient resources to the 2021-2025 NAP.

Invite independent verification of the termination of forced labor in drug treatment centers and make the results of such verification public.

Screen any North Korean workers for signs of trafficking and refer them to appropriate services in a manner consistent with obligations under UNSCR 2397.