Law on Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Persons No. 66/2011/QH12

 LAW

Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Persons

_______

BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM IN 1992 AS AMENDED AND COMPLEMENTED BY RESOLUTION NO. 51/2001/QH10;

The National Assembly promulgates the Law on Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Law stipulates measures for preventing, detecting, and handling acts of trafficking in persons and other violations of laws on prevention and combating trafficking in persons; receiving, verifying, protecting, and supporting victims; international cooperation in prevention and combating trafficking in persons; responsibilities of the Government, ministries, sectors, and localities in prevention and combating trafficking in persons.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Law, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. Sexual Exploitation is the act of forcing others to engage in prostitution, produce pornographic materials, perform pornography, or be sexual slaves.

2. Sexual Slavery is the situation where a person, due to dependency, is compelled to serve the sexual needs of another person.

3. Forced Labour is the act of using force, threatening to use force, or other means to compel others to work against their will.

4. Victim is a person harmed by the acts prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 3 of this Law.

Article 3. Prohibited Acts

1. Trafficking in persons as prescribed in Articles 119 and 120 of the Penal Code.

2. Transferring or receiving a person for sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ removal, or other inhumane purposes.

3. Recruiting, transporting, harboring a person for sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ removal, or other inhumane purposes, or to commit the acts prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article.

4. Forcing another person to commit one of the acts prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article.

5. Mediating for another person to commit one of the acts prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article.

6. Retaliating against, or threatening retaliation against victims, witnesses, informants, accusers, relatives of these individuals, or those who prevent the acts prescribed in this Article.

7. Exploiting activities related to prevention and combating trafficking in persons for personal gain, committing illegal acts.

8. Obstructing reporting, informing, declaring, and handling the acts prescribed in this Article.

9. Discriminating against or treating victims unfairly.

10. Disclosing information about victims without their consent or that of their lawful representatives.

11. Impersonating a victim.

12. Other acts violating the provisions of this Law.

Article 4. Principles of Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Persons

1. Implementing comprehensive measures for preventing, detecting, and handling the acts prescribed in Article 3 of this Law.

2. Rescuing, protecting, receiving, verifying, and supporting victims promptly and accurately. Respecting the rights and legitimate interests of victims and not discriminating against or treating them unfairly.

3. Promoting the role and responsibility of individuals, families, communities, agencies, and organizations in prevention and combating trafficking in persons.

4. Preventing, detecting, and strictly, promptly, and accurately handling the acts prescribed in Article 3 of this Law.

5. Strengthening international cooperation in prevention and combating trafficking in persons in accordance with the Constitution, laws of Vietnam, and international laws and customs.

Article 5. State Policy on Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Persons

1. Prevention and combating trafficking in persons is part of the program on crime prevention and social evils and is combined with the implementation of other programs on economic and social development.

2. Encouraging domestic and foreign agencies, organizations, and individuals to participate, cooperate, and sponsor activities related to prevention and combating trafficking in persons and support for victims; encouraging domestic individuals and organizations to establish victim support facilities in accordance with the law.

3. Rewarding agencies, organizations, and individuals with outstanding achievements in the work of prevention and combating trafficking in persons; ensuring benefits and policies for those participating in prevention and combating trafficking in persons who suffer losses to life, health, or property according to the law.

4. Annually, the State allocates a budget for the work of prevention and combating trafficking in persons.

Article 6. Rights and Obligations of Victims

1. Request competent authorities to apply measures to protect themselves and their close relatives when they are being or are at risk of being harmed in terms of life, health, reputation, dignity, and property.

2. Enjoy support benefits and protection as prescribed by this Law.

3. Be compensated for damages in accordance with the provisions of the law.

4. Provide information related to violations of laws on preventing and combating trafficking in persons to competent authorities.

5. Fulfill requirements of competent authorities related to cases of trafficking in persons.

Chapter II

PREVENTION OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Article 7. Information, Propaganda, and Education on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons

1. Information, propaganda, and education on preventing and combating trafficking in persons to enhance awareness and responsibility of individuals, families, agencies, organizations, and communities in preventing and combating trafficking in persons; raise vigilance and actively participate in preventing and combating trafficking in persons.

2. The contents of information, propaganda, and education include:

a) Policies and laws on preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

b) Tricks and harms of acts prescribed in Article 3 of this Law;

c) Skills in handling situations where there is suspicion of trafficking in persons;

d) Measures and experiences in preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

đ) Responsibilities of individuals, families, agencies, and organizations in preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

e) Combat discrimination and unfair treatment against victims;

g) Other relevant contents on preventing and combating trafficking in persons.

3. Information, propaganda, and education shall be carried out through the following forms:

a) Face-to-face meetings and talks;

b) Providing materials;

c) Through mass media;

d) Through activities at educational institutions;

đ) Through literary, artistic, community activities, and other cultural forms;

e) Other appropriate forms in accordance with the provisions of the law.

4. Establish a network of propagandists at the grassroots level; mobilize the active participation of social organizations.

5. Information, propaganda, and education work needs to be strengthened for women, youth, teenagers, children, students, residents in border areas, islands, remote areas, economically disadvantaged regions, and areas where many cases of trafficking in persons occur.

Article 8. Counseling on Prevention of Trafficking in Persons

1. Provide knowledge of laws on preventing and combating trafficking in persons.

2. Provide information on tricks of trafficking in persons and guide skills in handling situations where there is suspicion of trafficking in persons.

3. Provide information on the rights and obligations of victims and guide how to exercise these rights and obligations.

Article 9. Management of Security and Public Order

1. Monitor population and household registration through residence management work, strengthen inspections of permanent, temporary, transient, and absent residents within the area.

2. Supervise individuals with criminal records related to trafficking in persons and other individuals showing signs of committing acts prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of this Law.

3. Manage and effectively utilize information on archives, identity cards, and judicial records to serve the work of preventing and combating trafficking in persons.

4. Strengthen patrols and controls at border gates, border areas, islands, and at sea to promptly detect and prevent acts prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of this Law.

5. Equip technical means at international border gates to serve the identification of people and rapid, accurate detection of fake documents and papers; upgrade control and inspection equipment at checkpoints and border gates.

6. Manage the issuance of personal identification documents and documents for exit and entry; apply advanced technology in the production, issuance, management, and control of personal identification documents and documents for exit and entry.

7. Coordinate with functional agencies of countries sharing borders in patrolling and controlling the border to prevent, detect, and stop acts prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of this Law.

Article 10. Management of business and service activities

Activities supporting marriages between Vietnamese citizens and foreigners, adoption, job introduction, sending Vietnamese people to work and study abroad, recruiting foreign workers to work in Vietnam, cultural services, tourism, and other conditional business and service activities that are easily exploited must be subject to regular and strict management and inspection to promptly detect and prevent the exploitation of these activities for acts prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of this Law.

Article 11. Integration of human trafficking prevention content into socio-economic development programs

The Government, ministries, sectors, and localities need to integrate human trafficking prevention content into crime prevention and control programs, social evil prevention and control programs, vocational training, employment generation, poverty reduction, gender equality, child protection, women's advancement programs, and other socio-economic development programs.

Article 12. Individuals participating in human trafficking prevention

1. Participate in human trafficking prevention activities.

2. Timely report information, denounce, and accuse acts prescribed in Article 3 of this Law.

Article 13. Family participation in human trafficking prevention

1. Provide information to family members about human trafficking methods and measures to prevent and combat human trafficking.

2. Coordinate with schools, agencies, organizations, and social associations in preventing and combating human trafficking.

3. Care for and assist family members who are victims to reintegrate into family and community life.

4. Encourage family members who are victims to cooperate with competent authorities in preventing and combating human trafficking.

Article 14. Schools and educational and training institutions participating in human trafficking prevention

1. Strictly manage students' and trainees' studies and other activities.

2. Organize extracurricular propaganda and education on preventing and combating human trafficking suitable to each level of education and field of study.

3. Create favorable conditions for student and trainee victims to learn culture, vocational skills, and integrate into the community.

4. Coordinate with families, agencies, and organizations to implement measures to prevent and combat human trafficking.

Article 15. Human trafficking prevention in organizations and business and service establishments

1. Organizations and establishments engaged in business and service activities in areas such as supporting marriages between Vietnamese citizens and foreigners, adoption, job introduction, sending Vietnamese people to work and study abroad, recruiting foreign workers to work in Vietnam, cultural services, tourism, and other conditional business and service activities that are easily exploited for acts prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of this Law shall have the responsibility to:

a) Enter into written labor contracts with employees; register employees with the local labor management agency;

b) Obtain information about service recipients and report to competent authorities when required to coordinate management;

c) Commit to complying with laws on preventing and combating human trafficking;

d) Cooperate and create conditions for competent authorities to conduct inspections and checks on their activities.

2. Workers employed at business and service establishments specified in Clause 1 of this Article must comply with household registration regulations and sign commitments not to violate laws on preventing and combating human trafficking.

Article 16. Mass media agencies participate in preventing human trafficking

1. Timely and accurately disseminate policies, laws on preventing and combating human trafficking; truthfully reflect the situation of human trafficking and efforts to prevent and combat it; highlight exemplary cases in preventing and combating human trafficking, effective models for preventing and combating human trafficking.

2. Maintain confidentiality of information about victims.

3. Integrate content on preventing and combating human trafficking into other information and propaganda programs.

Article 17. The Vietnam Fatherland Front and its member organizations participate in preventing human trafficking

1. Organize and coordinate with relevant agencies and organizations to propagate and popularize policies and laws on preventing and combating human trafficking; mobilize the people to comply with laws on preventing and combating human trafficking, actively detect, report, and denounce acts stipulated in Article 3 of this Law.

2. Make recommendations to competent state agencies regarding necessary measures to prevent, detect, and handle acts stipulated in Article 3 of this Law.

3. Provide counseling and participate in counseling on preventing and combating human trafficking.

4. Participate in vocational training, job creation, and other support activities to help victims integrate into society.

5. Supervise the implementation of laws on preventing and combating human trafficking.

Article 18. The Vietnam Women's Union participates in preventing human trafficking

1. Propagate, educate, and mobilize women and children to enhance their awareness of complying with laws on preventing and combating human trafficking.

2. Participate in building a network of propagandists on preventing and combating human trafficking at the grassroots level.

3. Fulfill the responsibilities prescribed in Article 17 of this Law.

Chapter III

DISCOVERY AND HANDLING OF VIOLATIONS OF LAWS ON PREVENTING AND COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

REGARDING PREVENTING AND COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Article 19. Reporting, informing, and denouncing violations

1. Individuals have the obligation to report and denounce acts stipulated in Article 3 of this Law to public security agencies, People's Committees of communes, wards, towns (hereinafter referred to as People's Committees at the commune level), or any agency or organization.

2. Agencies and organizations, upon discovering or receiving reports, information, or denunciations about acts stipulated in Article 3 of this Law, shall be responsible for handling within their authority or promptly notifying the competent agency as prescribed by law.

Article 20. Discovery of violations through inspection and audit activities

1. Agencies and organizations are responsible for regularly self-inspecting the performance of their functions and tasks; if they discover acts stipulated in Article 3 of this Law, they must handle them within their authority or recommend handling according to the provisions of the law.

2. Competent agencies and organizations, through inspection and audit activities, proactively discover and handle acts stipulated in Article 3 of this Law within their authority or recommend handling according to the provisions of the law.

Article 21. Discovery and prevention of violations through anti-crime professional activities

Agencies, units, and individuals in the People's Public Security and People's Armed Forces assigned the task of preventing and combating human trafficking shall be responsible for performing the following activities:

1. Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to discover, prevent, and handle acts stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of this Law in the areas under their responsibility;

2. Apply investigative techniques as prescribed to discover and prevent acts stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of this Law;

3. Require individuals, agencies, and organizations to provide related information and materials to serve the discovery, investigation, and handling of acts stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of this Law;

4. Apply necessary measures to protect victims, informants, witnesses, and their relatives when they are harmed or threatened with harm to their lives, health, reputation, dignity, and property.

Article 22. Handling reports, accusations, and complaints about violations

1. The handling of reports and accusations regarding the crime of trafficking in persons shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.

2. The handling of complaints about violations of laws on preventing and combating trafficking in persons shall be carried out in accordance with the law on complaints.

Article 23. Handling Violations

1. A person who commits an act prescribed in Article 3 of this Law shall be subject to administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution depending on the nature and severity of the violation; if damage is caused, compensation must be provided in accordance with the law.

2. A person who abuses their position or authority to cover up, tolerate, or handle improperly the acts prescribed in Article 3 of this Law shall be subject to disciplinary action or criminal prosecution depending on the nature and severity of the violation; if damage is caused, compensation must be provided in accordance with the law.

3. A person who impersonates a victim shall, in addition to being dealt with according to the law, also be required to return the amount of support funds received.

Chapter IV

RECEIVING, VERIFICATION, AND PROTECTION OF VICTIMS

Section 1

RECEIVING AND VERIFICATION OF VICTIMS

Article 24. Receiving and verifying victims of domestic trafficking

1. Victims or their lawful representatives may report to the People's Committee of the commune or the nearest agency or organization about being trafficked. The agency or organization receiving the report has the responsibility to immediately transfer the person to the People's Committee of the commune where the agency or organization is located. The People's Committee of the commune has the responsibility to immediately notify the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. In cases of necessity, the People's Committee of the commune that receives the victim shall provide essential support for the victim.

2. Within three days from the date of receiving the notification from the People's Committee of the commune, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall carry out the reception and support of the victim and coordinate with the police agency at the same level to determine initial information about the victim if they do not have any of the documents or materials prescribed in Article 28 of this Law.

3. After receiving the victim, based on the documents and materials prescribed in Article 28 of this Law or the results of determining initial information about the victim, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall consider providing travel cost support for the victim who returns to their place of residence on their own; for child victims, it shall notify relatives to come and receive them or arrange for someone to take them back to the place where their relatives reside; in cases where the victim needs health care and psychological support and wishes to stay at a social welfare facility or victim support facility, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall process the handover to such facilities. For those without proof of victim status, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall request the police agency at the same level to conduct verification.

4. Within twenty days from the date of receiving the request from the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the police agency at the same level shall be responsible for verifying and responding in writing to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. For complex cases, the verification period may be extended but not exceeding two months. If there are sufficient conditions to confirm the victim status, the agency conducting the verification shall issue a victim confirmation certificate to them.

Article 25. Reception and Verification of Rescued Victims

1. The Public Security Organs, Border Guard Force, and Coast Guard, having rescued victims, shall be responsible for providing essential support to the victims when necessary and immediately transferring them to the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs nearest to where the rescue took place.

The rescuing authority shall issue a confirmation certificate to the rescued person before handing them over; if the rescued person has not been confirmed as a victim due to insufficient grounds, the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs shall request the corresponding level Public Security Organ to verify the victim status according to Clause 4, Article 24 of this Law after receiving them.

2. After receiving the victim, the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs shall implement the provisions set out in Clause 3, Article 24 of this Law. In cases where the rescuing authority has not confirmed the person as a victim, before providing travel expenses assistance or transferring the victim to a social welfare facility or victim support facility, the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs shall cooperate with the corresponding level Public Security Organ to determine initial information about the victim.

Article 26. Reception and Verification of Victims Returning from Abroad

1. The reception and verification of victims returning from abroad through Vietnamese diplomatic missions, consular offices, or other agencies authorized to perform consular functions overseas (hereinafter referred to as Vietnamese Representative Offices Overseas) shall be carried out as follows:

a) Vietnamese Representative Offices Overseas shall receive and process information and documents on victims and coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security in verifying the identity of victims, issuing necessary documents, and handling procedures for their return to Vietnam;

b) Authorities with jurisdiction within the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense shall receive victims who wish to return to their place of residence, provide transportation and food expenses during the journey, and guide them through procedures to receive support benefits as stipulated in Articles 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 of this Law. If they have no place of residence or wish to stay at a social welfare facility or victim support facility, they shall be transferred to such facilities. For child victims, relatives shall be notified to receive them or arrangements made for their return to the place of residence of their relatives; for abandoned child victims, procedures shall be followed to transfer them to a social welfare facility or victim support facility.

2. The reception of victims trafficked abroad and eligible to return to Vietnam under bilateral international agreements shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of those agreements.

3. The reception and verification of victims trafficked abroad who return voluntarily shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 24 of this Law.

Article 27. Basis for Determining Victims

1. A person may be determined as a victim if they meet one of the following criteria:

a) They are an object of trafficking, transfer, or receipt as provided for in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 3 of this Law;

b) They are an object of recruitment, transportation, or harboring as provided for in Clause 3, Article 3 of this Law.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 28. Documents and materials certifying victims

1. Certificate from the police agency of the district, town, city under province as prescribed in Clause 4, Article 24 of this Law.

2. Certificate from the rescue agency as prescribed in Article 25 of this Law.

3. Certificate from the investigation agency, agency assigned to conduct certain investigative activities, People's Procuracy, People's Court.

4. Documents and materials issued by foreign agencies that have been legalized by the Vietnamese representative office abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam proving that person is a victim.

Section 2

PROTECTION OF VICTIMS

Article 29. Rescue and protection of victims

When there is evidence indicating that a person has been trafficked, the agencies, units, and individuals specified in Article 21 of this Law shall be responsible for applying necessary measures to rescue such person; if such person is being harmed or at risk of harm to their life, health, reputation, dignity, and property, protective measures shall be applied.

Article 30. Protection of safety for victims and their relatives

1. Measures to protect the safety of victims and their relatives include:

a) Arranging temporary shelter when victims and their relatives are at risk of harm to their lives or health;

b) Keeping secret the place of residence, workplace, and place of study of victims and their relatives;

c) Measures to prevent acts of harm or threats of harm to the lives, health, reputation, dignity, and property of victims and their relatives as prescribed by law;

d) Other protective measures as prescribed by criminal procedure law.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on the protection of safety for victims and their relatives.

Article 31. Protection of confidential information about victims

1. Agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for keeping confidential information about victims, except where otherwise provided by law.

2. The court shall consider and decide on closed trial proceedings for cases of human trafficking upon request of the victim or their lawful representative.

Chapter V

SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS

Article 32. Objectives and support regimes

1. Victims who are Vietnamese citizens or stateless persons permanently residing in Vietnam, depending on the circumstances stipulated in Articles 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 of this Law, shall enjoy the following support regimes:

a) Support for basic needs and travel expenses;

b) Medical support;

c) Psychological support;

d) Legal aid;

đ) Cultural education and vocational training support;

e) Initial hardship allowance and loan support.

2. Victims who are foreigners trafficked in Vietnam, depending on the circumstances stipulated in Articles 33, 34, 35, and 36 of this Law, shall enjoy the support regimes prescribed in points a), b), c), and d) of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Minors accompanying victims, depending on the circumstances stipulated in Articles 33, 34, and 35 of this Law, shall enjoy the support regime prescribed in points a), b), and c) of Clause 1 of this Article.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on support regimes; procedures and formalities for implementing support regimes for victims.

Article 33. Support for basic needs and travel expenses

In cases of necessity, victims shall be arranged temporary accommodation and supported with food, clothing, and other essential personal items based on actual conditions and characteristics related to age, gender, and health status of the victim. If a victim wishes to return to their place of residence but lacks the means to pay for transportation and meals during the journey, they shall be supported with these expenses.

Article 34. Medical Support

During their stay at social welfare facilities or victim support centers, if victims require medical care to recover their health, they shall be considered for assistance with examination and treatment costs.

Article 35. Psychological Support

Victims shall be supported to stabilize their mental state during their stay at social welfare facilities or victim support centers.

Article 36. Legal Assistance

1. Victims shall be provided with legal counseling to prevent being sold again and legal assistance to process registration of household registration, civil status, entitlements, compensation claims, participation in litigation, and other related legal procedures.

2. The procedures for providing legal assistance shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on legal aid.

Article 37. Cultural Education and Vocational Training Support

1. Victims who are minors from poor households, if continuing their education, shall be supported with tuition fees, textbook purchase costs, and learning supplies for the first year of schooling.

2. When returning to their place of origin, victims from poor households may be considered for vocational training support.

Article 38. Initial Hardship Allowance and Loan Support

1. When returning to their place of origin, victims from poor households shall be supported with an initial hardship allowance once.

2. Victims who need loans for production and business activities shall be considered for loan facilitation according to the provisions of the law.

Article 39. Agencies and Organizations Implementing Victim Support

1. The People's Committee of the commune that has received the victim, the police agency, border guard force, and coast guard that have rescued the victim shall provide essential support to the victim.

2. The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall provide travel cost support for victims who return to their place of residence on their own.

3. Social welfare facilities and victim support centers shall provide essential needs support, psychological support, and medical support to victims.

4. State Legal Aid Centers and organizations participating in legal aid shall provide legal assistance to victims.

5. The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall provide initial hardship allowances to victims; coordinate with the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Training to provide medical support and cultural education and vocational training support to victims.

Article 40. Social Welfare Facilities and Victim Support Centers

1. Public social welfare facilities shall perform the following tasks in supporting victims:

a) Receiving and arranging accommodation for victims;

b) Implementing support systems for essential needs, medical support, and psychological support appropriate to the age, gender, wishes of the victim, and the capacity of the facility;

c) Educating life skills and career guidance for victims;

d) Assessing the victim's ability to integrate into the community, providing information about policies, benefits, and services supporting victims in the community;

đ) Providing necessary information to competent authorities to combat the acts prescribed in Article 3 of this Law;

e) Coordinating with relevant agencies to repatriate victims;

g) Coordinating with the police agency in verifying victims.

2. Victim support centers established by Vietnamese organizations or individuals to participate in implementing the tasks prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article in accordance with the establishment permit; the establishment and operation do not use state budget funds. The Government shall specify detailed conditions, procedures, and requirements for establishing victim support centers.

Chapter VI

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT, MINISTRIES, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN PREVENTING AND COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN PREVENTING AND COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Article 41. State Management Responsibilities for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons

1. The Government shall uniformly manage state affairs concerning the prevention and combat of trafficking in persons.

2. The Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for assisting the Government in managing state affairs concerning the prevention and combat of trafficking in persons, performing tasks and exercising powers as prescribed in Article 42 of this Law.

3. The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and other ministries and ministerial-level agencies within their respective functions and powers shall have the responsibility to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security in managing state affairs concerning the prevention and combat of trafficking in persons, performing tasks and exercising powers as stipulated in Articles 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50 of this Law and relevant laws.

4. People's Committees at all levels within their respective functions and powers shall have the responsibility to implement state management concerning the prevention and combat of trafficking in persons in their localities, performing tasks and exercising powers as prescribed in Article 52 of this Law.

Article 42. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Security

1. In implementing state management concerning the prevention and combat of trafficking in persons, the Ministry of Public Security shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Proposing to the Government the development and improvement of laws on preventing and combating trafficking in persons, signing or joining international treaties related to preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

b) Developing and submitting to competent authorities for issuance, or issuing within its authority, normative legal documents, programs, and plans on preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

c) Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and directing provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees to organize the implementation of normative legal documents, programs, and plans on preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

d) Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant agencies and organizations to issue and organize the implementation of regulations on training and capacity building for personnel engaged in preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

đ) Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant agencies and organizations to implement statistical reporting systems on preventing and combating trafficking in persons; summarizing practical experiences, and expanding successful models of preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

e) Inspecting and supervising the implementation of laws on preventing and combating trafficking in persons;

g) Implementing international cooperation in preventing and combating trafficking in persons within its authority.

2. In anti-trafficking work, the Ministry of Public Security shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Deploying forces to perform anti-trafficking duties;

b) Implementing security and public order management to prevent trafficking in persons;

c) Directing public security agencies to perform tasks of receiving, verifying, and supporting victims as prescribed in Articles 24, 25, and 26 of this Law;

d) Mobilizing the entire population to participate in preventing, detecting, and combating trafficking in persons, maintaining social order and safety.

Article 43. Responsibilities of the Ministry of National Defense

1. Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to organize propaganda and mobilize the people in border areas and islands to participate in activities to prevent and combat trafficking in persons.

2. Directing border guard forces and maritime police to perform anti-trafficking duties in border areas and at sea as prescribed by law, receiving and supporting victims as prescribed in Articles 25 and 26 of this Law.

3. Implementing security and public order management in border areas, islands, and at sea to prevent trafficking in persons.

4. Implementing international cooperation in preventing and combating trafficking in persons within its authority.

Article 44. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

1. To develop and submit to competent authorities for issuance policies supporting victims; guide the implementation of support measures within its authority.

2. To manage, direct, inspect, and audit victim support work.

3. To direct the integration of anti-human trafficking content into poverty reduction programs, vocational training, employment resolution, social evil prevention, gender equality, and child protection programs.

4. To guide social welfare institutions and victim support institutions in providing support to victims.

5. To coordinate with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Training to direct medical support and cultural education, vocational training support.

6. To manage, direct, inspect, and audit job introduction work, sending Vietnamese workers abroad, and recruiting foreign workers in Vietnam to prevent human trafficking through these activities.

7. To implement international cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking within its authority.

Article 45. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Health

To direct and guide healthcare facilities to cooperate with social welfare institutions and victim support institutions in providing medical support to victims.

Article 46. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. To direct and guide Vietnamese representative offices abroad to carry out protective work for Vietnamese citizens who are victims trafficked abroad; to coordinate with competent Vietnamese and foreign authorities to verify and complete necessary procedures to repatriate Vietnamese citizen victims.

2. To coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and other competent authorities to implement international cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking.

Article 47. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Justice

1. To coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies in developing, perfecting, and monitoring the enforcement of laws on preventing and combating human trafficking.

2. To organize and guide the dissemination and legal education on preventing and combating human trafficking.

3. To manage, direct, inspect, and audit marriage support, adoption support activities to prevent the exploitation of these activities for human trafficking.

4. To guide state legal aid centers and organizations participating in legal aid to provide legal assistance to victims of human trafficking according to the provisions of the law.

5. To coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and other competent authorities to implement international cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking.

Article 48. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

1. To direct the integration of anti-human trafficking content into cultural, tourism, and family programs.

2. To manage, direct, inspect, and audit domestic and international tourism activities, hotel accommodation services, and tourism service establishments to prevent the exploitation of these activities for human trafficking.

3. To organize and guide the promotion of anti-human trafficking awareness at the grassroots level and in the operations of hotel accommodation services and tourism service establishments.

Article 49. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Education and Training

1. To direct the integration of knowledge on preventing and combating human trafficking into extracurricular programs suitable for each educational level and field, and to promote and educate students, trainees about preventing and combating human trafficking.

2. To direct schools and other educational institutions under the national education system to perform tasks as stipulated in Article 14 of this Law.

3. To manage, direct, inspect, and audit the dispatching of individuals for overseas study to prevent the exploitation of such activities for human trafficking.

Article 50. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and Communications

1. Direct mass media organizations to fulfill the tasks prescribed in Article 16 of this Law.

2. Strictly manage, regularly inspect and audit Internet service providers to prevent and stop the exploitation of such activities for human trafficking.

Article 51. Responsibilities of the People's Procuracy and the People's Court

1. Within their respective functions, tasks, and powers, the People's Procuracy and the People's Court shall promptly and strictly handle violations of laws on preventing and combating human trafficking; coordinate with relevant agencies and organizations in the struggle against human trafficking.

2. The Supreme People's Procuracy shall conduct statistics on human trafficking crimes.

Article 52. Responsibilities of People's Committees at all levels

1. Within their respective functions, tasks, and powers, People's Committees at all levels shall be responsible for:

a) Incorporating anti-human trafficking content into socio-economic development programs;

b) Implementing anti-human trafficking work;

c) Allocating budget for anti-human trafficking work;

d) Promptly and strictly handling violations of laws on preventing and combating human trafficking;

đ) Implementing management work to ensure security and order to prevent and combat human trafficking.

2. In addition to implementing the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article, People's Committees at the commune level shall also be responsible for:

a) Taking the lead and coordinating with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the same level and its member organizations to organize and create conditions for advisory activities on preventing and combating human trafficking at the grassroots level;

b) Receiving victims and providing support to victims in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 24 of this Law;

c) Creating conditions for victims to integrate into the community.

Chapter VII

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN PREVENTING AND COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Article 53. Principles of International Cooperation

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam implements a policy of international cooperation in the field of preventing and combating human trafficking based on principles of equality, voluntariness, respect for independence, and sovereignty.

Article 54. Implementation of International Cooperation

1. Based on the provisions of this Law and related international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party, competent authorities of Vietnam shall cooperate with relevant agencies of other countries, international organizations, and foreign organizations and individuals to enhance legal capacity, information, technology, and training on preventing and combating human trafficking.

2. Coordination between relevant Vietnamese agencies and foreign agencies to resolve cases of human trafficking shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

In cases where Vietnam and the relevant country are not parties to the same international treaty, competent Vietnamese authorities shall implement international cooperation on a reciprocal basis, in compliance with Vietnamese law, international law, and international customs.

Article 55. International Cooperation in Rescuing and Repatriating Victims

1. The State of Vietnam creates conditions for Vietnamese functional agencies to cooperate with relevant foreign agencies in rescuing and protecting trafficked victims.

2. The State of Vietnam facilitates the repatriation of foreign victims back to their home country or last place of permanent residence; applies measures to ensure that repatriation is conducted in accordance with Vietnamese law and international agreements between Vietnam and other countries, ensuring the safety of life, health, dignity, and reputation of the victim.

Article 56. Judicial Assistance

The judicial assistance relationship between Vietnam and the relevant country shall be implemented on the basis of international treaties to which both Vietnam and that country are members, or on the principle of reciprocity consistent with the laws of Vietnam and international law and custom.

The State of Vietnam gives priority to the judicial assistance for the activities of preventing and combating trafficking in persons to the country that has concluded a bilateral international treaty with Vietnam.

Chapter VIII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 57. Effectiveness

This Law takes effect from January 1, 2012.

Article 58. Guidance on Implementation

The Government shall provide detailed regulations for the Articles and Clauses assigned in this Law; guide other necessary contents of this Law to meet the requirements of state management.

This Law was passed by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the twelfth session, ninth meeting on March 29, 2011.