Vietnam and the United Kingdom signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on tackling illegal migration in London on Wednesday.

Colonel Vu Van Hung, deputy head of the Immigration Department at Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, and Michael Tomlinson, the UK’s Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, signed a joint statement of cooperation to fight illegal migration and reaffirm the two countries’ strong partnership, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The two sides are committed to preventing visa abuse, increasing intelligence sharing, and continuing the process of returning those with no right to remain in the UK.

Moreover, Vietnam and the UK will collaborate on a joint action plan to combat human trafficking, aiming to safeguard vulnerable individuals.

They will also uphold direct and efficient mechanisms and communication channels for sharing information, while promoting legal pathways.

The agreement came after a dialogue on Monday between Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General To Lam and the UK’s Home Secretary James Cleverly.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Colonel Hung said that Vietnam and the UK share a strong strategic partnership, and are celebrating 51 years of diplomatic relations. 

Apart from their cooperation in trade, education, research, technology innovation, and climate change, the two nations attach much significance to their partnership in tackling illegal migration and human trafficking. 

Colonel Hung affirmed that the two sides are committed to working together on ensuring safe and legal routes and protecting victims of human trafficking.

"Illegal migration is a global problem that requires global solutions," Tomlinson said on gov.uk, a United Kingdom public sector information website.

"This agreement is an important step with a valued partner to ensure both sides are working in lockstep to end exploitation by people-smuggling gangs, and to save lives."

He added that through continued close cooperation with international partners, the UK would dismantle the criminal networks profiting from human trafficking, while stopping dangerous journeys in boats to the country.

In March, the UK’s Home Office launched a social media campaign in Vietnam to highlight the risks of crossing the Channel in small boats.

Hanoi and London signed the agreement as the number of people having illegally migrated to the UK is on the rise. 

Over the past two years, 76,000 people from many countries worldwide have crossed the Channel in small boats to arrive in the UK.

The number of deaths linked to the dangerous crossings of the Channel in 2023 tripled against the 2022 figure. 

Since 2019, 65 people have been killed while crossing the sea from France to the UK.

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