On August 8, 2026, the Prime Minister of Vietnam officially issued Decision No. 1511/QD-TTg, promulgating the Implementation Plan for the United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM). This landmark decision represents a significant step in Vietnam’s commitment to international cooperation on migration management, aiming to protect the rights of migrants while ensuring national security and socio-economic stability. In response to this national directive, major localities, including the port city of Hai Phong, have immediately mobilized to integrate these global standards into their local governance frameworks.
The Global Compact for Migration (GCM) is the first intergovernmental negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. In a world characterized by increasing mobility due to economic globalization, climate change, and geopolitical shifts, migration has become a defining issue of the 21st century.
For Vietnam, which is simultaneously a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants, the issuance of Decision No. 1511/QD-TTg is particularly timely. It aligns with the country’s broader goals of international integration and its active role in the United Nations. By adopting this implementation plan, Vietnam sends a clear message to the international community about its dedication to human rights, sustainable development, and the rule of law in the sensitive area of human mobility.
The primary purpose of the Implementation Plan is to provide a comprehensive legal and operational framework to realize the 23 objectives of the GCM. The plan focuses on several core pillars:
- Protecting Migrant Rights: Ensuring that all migrants, regardless of their status, are treated with dignity and have access to basic services. This includes specific measures to prevent human trafficking and modern slavery.
- Facilitating Safe and Legal Pathways: Streamlining administrative procedures to encourage migration through legal channels, thereby reducing the risks associated with irregular and dangerous migration routes.
- Enhancing Data and Evidence-Based Policy: Improving the collection and analysis of migration data to ensure that policies are grounded in reality and can effectively address the needs of both migrants and host communities.
- Promoting Sustainable Reintegration: Supporting Vietnamese citizens returning from abroad to reintegrate into the domestic labor market and social fabric, ensuring that their overseas experiences contribute to national development.
The significance of this decision cannot be overstated. In the current era of "double-digit" growth aspirations and digital transformation, migration management is no longer just a security concern; it is an economic and social imperative.
- Human Capital Development: By ensuring safe migration for labor, Vietnam can better manage its workforce, protect its citizens working abroad, and attract high-quality foreign experts to support domestic industries.
- National Security and Order: An orderly migration system is essential for maintaining social stability and preventing transnational crimes.
- International Reputation: Implementing the GCM enhances Vietnam’s standing as a responsible member of the global community, fostering trust with international partners and opening doors for deeper bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
As a vital gateway to the world and a major industrial hub, the city of Hai Phong has recognized the critical importance of the Prime Minister’s decision. Upon the receipt of Decision No. 1511/QD-TTg, Vice Chairman Hoang Minh Cuong instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs, as the Lead Agency: (1) to take the lead in studying and coordinating the implementation of the Decision. This highlights the city's recognition that migration management is intrinsically linked to its foreign relations and international standing; (2) is tasked with collaborating with all relevant agencies and units across the city to ensure a synchronous approach. This includes departments responsible for labor, public security, and justice, ensuring that the GCM’s holistic approach is mirrored at the local level; (3) is required to proactively report on their progress and propose any necessary specific directives to the City People's Committee. This "bottom-up" feedback loop ensures that local practicalities are considered in the broader implementation process.
The assignment of the Department of Foreign Affairs as the "conductor" for this plan in Hai Phong is a strategic move. As the city continues to attract massive FDI and host thousands of foreign experts, and as its own citizens increasingly seek opportunities abroad, the Department serves as the essential bridge. Their role will involve not only administrative oversight but also educating citizens on the benefits of legal migration and the dangers of irregular routes, strengthening mechanisms to protect the rights of Hai Phong citizens living and working abroad and crafting local regulations that support the integration of foreign workers while maintaining local social harmony.
The issuance of Decision No. 1511/QD-TTg marks the beginning of a new chapter in Vietnam’s migration policy. By translating global goals into local actions—as seen in the proactive response of Hai Phong City—Vietnam is building a migration system that is not only "safe, orderly, and regular" but also a true engine for growth and prosperity.
As the city of Hai Phong serves as a model for how localities can embrace international standards to protect their people and enhance their global competitiveness. The journey toward fully realizing the GCM objectives will be long, but with clear directives and strong local leadership, the vision of a more humane and efficient migration system is well within reach.