Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) over the past five years, actively addressing emerging migration challenges, according to an official of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
During an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the review conference on the five-year implementation of Vietnam’s GCM implementation plan, IOM Chief of Mission Kendra Rinas said IOM commends this leadership, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and remains a dedicated partner in promoting well-managed migration that benefits both individuals and states.
She noted that Vietnam has made significant progress in expanding regular migration pathways and combating irregular migration, human smuggling and human trafficking, especially in response to online fraud and illicit work in cyber scam compounds. It has also prioritised protecting migrants and reducing vulnerabilities, with a strong focus on climate-induced displacement.
Vietnam’s six-million-strong diaspora is among the world’s most dynamic transnational communities, remitting 16 billion USD annually and serving as bridges between Vietnam and over 130 countries worldwide. The Government of Vietnam recognises overseas Vietnamese as “an integral part of the nation and an important resource for national development.” At the same time, Vietnamese migrants contribute significantly to economic growth, innovation, and cultural diplomacy in their countries of destination.
Between 2020 and 2025, excluding the COVID-19 period (2020–2021), an average of 150,000 contract-based workers have departed Vietnam each year. With the implementation of the Law on Vietnam Guest Workers (Law No. 69/2020/QH14), Rinas noted, the Government aims to better protect the rights of Vietnamese migrants.
Mentioning policy reform, she highlighted the 2024 revision of the Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking, which emphasises a victim-centred approach to policy development, ensuring recognition of “the person in the process of verification as the victim.” In this updated version, the law ensures comprehensive support tailored to individual needs and diverse support regimes for not only Vietnamese citizens but also stateless persons, foreigners trafficked in Vietnam and person under 18 years of age accompanying the victim.
She perceived that the revised law is much more inclusive, as it mandates that support services must be delivered considering age, gender, health status, to address the specific risks faced by different groups of population. This helps improve integration and prevent re-migration.
Additionally, the Government issued Decree 162, elaborating counter-trafficking measures and enabling swift responses to evolving challenges. The recent launch of Hotline 111, Vietnam’s national counter-trafficking hotline, underscores the Government’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency coordination and referral systems through standardised procedures.
As a leading migration agency, IOM views the GCM as a practical framework for leveraging migration as an adaptation strategy. "We are proud to support Vietnam in enhancing its capacity to respond to evolving migration dynamics and ensuring that human mobility remains safe, orderly, and regular," said the IOM Chief of Mission.
Talking about IOM’s role in supporting the country’s GCM implementation, she said IOM has worked closely with key Government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, Vietnam Women’s Union, Youth Union, Vietnam Border Guards, and local actors to reduce vulnerabilities to human trafficking. Their efforts focus on behaviour change communication, improving access to information on safe migration, and strengthening prevention of trafficking in persons (TiP).
Prevention is at the heart of IOM’s work. It includes raising awareness about the risks of trafficking and irregular migration and supporting skills development and job opportunities aligned with local market needs, so migration is a choice, not a necessity. IOM is proud to have improved access for low-skilled workers to essential skills such as digital literacy, soft skills, job application techniques, and entrepreneurship, empowering them to pursue safer and more sustainable livelihoods, according to the official.
She went on to say that empowering youth to lead safe migration initiatives is critical. Through the “Think Before You Go” campaign, IOM continues to raise awareness about the complex risks of trafficking, especially among young people. These efforts equip youth with knowledge, resources, and advocacy skills, enabling informed decisions and building resilience within their communities.
IOM’s protection assistance is provided for people in vulnerable situations and at risk of trafficking, while reintegration support is provided for survivors who have returned to Vietnam to enable them to rebuild their lives in their community of origin. Since 2019, IOM Vietnam and partners have assisted over 890 trafficking victims returning from different countries, and migrants in vulnerable situations, while delivering specialised training to more than 1,380 law enforcement officers.
As Chair of Vietnam’s national Counter-Trafficking Network, Rinas added, IOM convenes multistakeholder dialogues and promotes a coordinated approach, working closely with civil society organisations, embassies, UN and international agencies, and most critically, the Government of Vietnam, to advocate for improved policies on counter-trafficking and migration governance.
"Looking ahead, we will continue to advocate for ethical recruitment, improve the health of migrants, address climate-induced migration, enhance Vietnam's database on trafficking in persons and international migration, as well as support the legal framework revision to align migration governance with international standards."
Giving several recommendations to help Vietnam promote safe and orderly migration in the next five years, she noted that the first is partnership – a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is essential. Government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and migrants themselves must be actively involved in policymaking progress to ensure migration policies align with national development priorities.
The second is data, she said, elaborating that while Vietnam has made notable progress in migration data collection, the lack of comprehensive and standardised data still limits effective policy design and implementation. "IOM is committed to working with MoFA and other partners to build a robust migration database that helps identify vulnerable populations and tailor interventions to Vietnam’s specific needs."
Finally, Rinas remarked, Champion Country – Vietnam is continuing to be seen as an international leader, and IOM encourages the country to become a GCM Champion Country to further leverage and promote good migration practices to others in the region and the world./.
