Amid the increasing momentum of globalization and international integration, which are intricately tied to the global economic, political, and social landscape, international migration has seen a rapid increase in recent years. According to United Nations statistics, the number of international migrants worldwide rose from 150 million in 2000 to 281 million in 2020, accounting for 3.6% of the global population. This figure is projected to reach 405 million by 2050, comprising 7% of the global population.
International migration flows are significantly influenced by various subjective and objective factors that determine motivations, opportunities, and processes. Subjectively, migration often fulfills individual needs for education and employment, driven by aspirations to improve living standards. Objectively, factors such as economic development, political stability, domestic social welfare, global conflicts, pandemics, natural disasters, and accessible visa processes act as catalysts that drive migration.
While international migration contributes positively to the economy and labor force of migrants, their home countries, and host countries, it also poses numerous challenges. Prominent among these are issues of illegal migration and human trafficking, necessitating global solutions.
On December 19, 2018, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) was adopted during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly. This intergovernmental agreement aims to enhance global migration governance, address migration challenges, and promote migrants’ contributions to sustainable development, thereby realizing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goal of “leaving no one behind.” Vietnam endorsed the GCM in December 2018, and the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 402/QD-TTg on March 20, 2020, along with an implementation plan aligned with Vietnamese laws and conditions.
In line with Decision No. 402, Hai Phong City’s People’s Committee issued Implementation Plan No. 156/KH-UBND on June 10, 2020, assigning specific tasks to municipal departments and local authorities.
Implementation Efforts in Hai Phong
In recent years, the city has intensified community education through various media forms—articles, photographs, documentaries, TV and radio programs, and school workshops. These initiatives aim to raise awareness, particularly among vulnerable groups (women, adolescents, and people in difficult circumstances), about legal and safe migration, the risks of irregular migration channels, and the tactics of human traffickers.
Hai Phong also strictly manages its citizens migrating abroad and foreign residents within its jurisdiction to prevent illegal migration and cross-border human trafficking. The city assists victims of trafficking, repatriated women married to foreigners, and those reintegrating into the community.
Monitoring and Law Enforcement
Regular oversight is conducted on travel agencies, study abroad consultancy firms, and labor export companies. To date, no cases have been reported of Hai Phong citizens illegally recruiting others for overseas work, study, or residence, nor of individuals illegally migrating under the guise of study or tourism. Law enforcement has addressed violations by nearly 400 foreign residents of local residency laws, deporting over 100 Chinese nationals for illegal entry, unauthorized work, or suspicious activities such as online fraud. Around 30 cases of passport forgery, deportation, and illegal residency have also been investigated.
The city employs electronic software to enhance immigration management at maritime border areas and port checkpoints. Amid rising online fraud, authorities have ramped up monitoring to detect misuse of information services and the internet to lure individuals, particularly women and children, into illegal migration or trafficking schemes.
Support for Returned Migrants
For Hai Phong residents deported or returning from illegal migration, local police collaborate with local authorities to ensure compliance. Returnees must pledge not to engage in illegal migration again, while absentees' families are tasked with urging their return. Provisions are in place to monitor and educate returnees, ensuring they notify local police of their whereabouts before leaving again.
International Cooperation
Hai Phong actively implements agreements with countries like the UK, South Korea, Cambodia, China, and Australia on combating human trafficking and protecting victims. It has also facilitated three international or NGO-led migration-related projects, enhancing safe employment opportunities for at-risk workers, providing knowledge to women planning international marriages, and supporting returning female migrants.
Achievements and Future Directions
Hai Phong’s implementation of the GCM and management of international migration have been systematic and rigorous under the direction of the city’s People’s Committee. Public awareness of safe migration has grown through education and outreach efforts. However, to effectively prevent illegal migration and human trafficking while safeguarding the rights and interests of citizens, the city must adopt comprehensive solutions. These include raising community awareness, particularly among vulnerable groups, enhancing law enforcement, imposing stronger deterrent measures, and strengthening international cooperation to address transnational human trafficking challenges.
On an individual level, residents must proactively educate themselves to avoid becoming victims of illegal migration or human trafficking.