Vietnam, UK strengthen partnership against illegal migration

Vietnam and the UK committed their strong bilateral partnership on migration matters, strengthening cooperation on deterrent communication campaigns to discourage dangerous small boat journeys and increase information sharing to tackle visa abuse.

Senior Colonel Vu Van Hung from Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security (R) and Minister of State for Countering Illegal Migration Michael Tomlinson sign the Joint Statement in London on April 17.

This is the key content of a Joint Statement signed at the 2nd UK – Vietnam Migration Dialogue in London on April 17.

The two sides will continue to facilitate the repatriation process to Vietnam for those who have no right to remain in the UK while jointly developing the Joint Action Plan to tackle human trafficking to prevent vulnerable people and disrupt trafficking. Meanwhile, the two sides will maintain direct and effective mechanisms and communication channels to share information, promote legal avenues, and cooperate on capacity building.

Speaking at the dialogue, Minister of State for Countering Illegal Migration Michael Tomlinson said: “Only through continued close cooperation can we ensure progress on stopping small boats and other dangerous and illegal journeys.”

Senior Colonel Vu Van Hung from Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security welcomed the cooperation between the two countries in matters related to migration, immigration, repatriation, and human trafficking. He said: “We believe that the Dialogue opens up many opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the field of migration and for solving difficulties and challenges in the future.”

The first UK – Vietnam Migration Dialogue was held in Hanoi on August 15, 2022 and the next one will be hosted by Vietnam in 2025.

Earlier on April 15, General To Lam, Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, and UK Secretary of State for the Home Department, James Cleverly, discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation on security and tackling illegal migration to the UK in a telephone conversation.

The ministers emphasized the need for cooperation in addressing the rising number of Vietnamese nationals arriving in the UK through small boats and other dangerous means.  

The discussion emphasized that tackling illegal migration is among the UK Government's priorities. It also addressed the worrying rise in Vietnamese arrivals by small boats and other high-risk clandestine methods and looked forward to a strong commitment to increased Vietnam – the UK cooperation to reduce this illegal activity and abuse of the UK Visa system.

The two ministers said they welcomed the positive Returns relationship between the two countries. Vietnam is expected to expand the use of video interviews for nationality verification in repatriation cases to speed up processing times for the return of those who have no right to remain in the UK to Vietnam.

They also reiterated the importance of continued collaboration on deterrent communication campaigns aimed directly at people who may be considering making dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK.