Under the agreement, which was inked in Hanoi on January 18, the two sides will increase information exchange; cooperate in detecting, preventing, investigating, and handling drug crimes; coordinate to verify, rescue, and support victims in specialised projects and cases; exchange experiences in human trafficking prevention and combat; provide support in training and capacity building in human trafficking prevention and control, particularly improve English proficiency for border guard officers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lieutenant General Le Duc Thai emphasised that the event marked a new, practical, and effective development step in international cooperation between the law enforcement forces of Vietnam and the UK in implementing the bilateral agreement between the governments of the two countries on human trafficking prevention and control.

Since 2021, the two agencies have implemented many cooperative activities in the field.

In 2023, Vietnam's border guards conducted communication activities that reached 700,000 people, detected, prevented, and handled 1,604 cases with 66,621 people involved in illegally entering and exiting the country, many of whom are at high risk of becoming victims of human trafficking rings.

The force also arrested and handled 103 cases with 92 people; and rescued, received, supported, and transferred 235 victims and suspected victims.

The border guards coordinated with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UK Embassy in Vietnam, and the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation to organise five in-depth training classes on human trafficking prevention and control for 180 officers and three interdisciplinary seminars to improve capacity./.VNA