This information was shared by Tran Quoc Dung, Deputy Head of the Social Welfare Department of the HCM City Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, during a socio-economic press conference on October 17.

According to Dung, the difficult economic conditions have led many people from various regions to migrate to HCMC in search of livelihood opportunities, often resorting to begging in key areas such as religious institutions, bus terminals, and traditional markets.

“These individuals often disguise themselves as vendors selling lottery tickets, cotton swabs, pens, or chewing gum, making it challenging for local authorities to take action,” Dung explained.

Over the first nine months of this year, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs has handled 1,314 cases of homeless individuals, children, and others in need of urgent care, following referrals from local district and ward task forces.

Additionally, the HCMC Police have identified eight suspected cases of organized begging, where children or beggars are allegedly exploited by their own family members. Many of these cases involve parents or relatives of the children or individuals begging on the streets.

In a concerning development, the HCMC Police have also tracked 143 cases of Cambodian nationals involved in begging within the city. Of these, 37 individuals over the age of 16 have been fined and deported, while 46 children under the age of 16 were handed over to Cambodian authorities.

Most of these individuals are women, children, disabled people, or elderly individuals from impoverished communities in provinces bordering Vietnam. Despite previous deportations, they continue to re-enter the country through official or illegal border crossings.

Bach Duong