Officials from Vietnam and the UK have agreed to accelerate the repatriation of Vietnamese nationals who do not meet the conditions to stay in the kingdom, as part of both countries' commitment to cooperating closely in preventing and addressing the exploitation of illegal migrants.

Simon Ridley, Second Permanent Secretary at the UK Home Office, and Lieutenant General Pham The Tung, Deputy Minister of Public Security of Vietnam, co-chaired the third Vietnam-UK Migration Dialogue in Hanoi on Tuesday.

During their discussions, both parties pledged to strengthen cooperation in immigration management, continue implementing existing agreements, and address four key issues: combating illegal migration and human trafficking, raising public awareness, repatriation, and legal migration pathways.

A joint statement was signed, reaffirming their commitment to collaboration in preventing and responding to migrant exploitation, dismantling criminal networks, sharing information, and expediting the repatriation process.

Both sides agreed to accelerate the issuance of necessary documentation for repatriation and explore new initiatives to facilitate and speed up the process.

They also pledged to take effective measures to stop unlawful border crossings while encouraging safe and legal migration.

The UK government will also continue its online media campaign in Vietnam, which was launched in December 2024, to warn citizens about human trafficking schemes.

Through this campaign, the UK aims to share real-life stories of human trafficking victims. By exposing the realities of these criminal networks, the campaign seeks to help people avoid falling into their traps and improve border security.

Speaking ahead of the dialogue, Angela Eagle, the UK’s Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, cautioned the public about criminal networks that use social media to craft deceptive narratives to lure migrants and exploit them for financial gain.

“No one should be in any doubt that putting your life in the hands of a smuggler is not worth the risk. Too many people have died in the English Channel at the hands of these criminals, and we will stop at nothing to bring them to justice,” the UK government’s website cited Eagle as saying.

On October 23, 2019, UK authorities discovered the bodies of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a refrigerated container in Grays, Essex. They had suffocated due to a lack of oxygen and unbearable temperatures.

The case was linked to a human trafficking ring, with victims paying up to £13,000 (US$15,903) to smugglers.

More than 11 people were convicted, including Ronan Hughes, identified as the ringleader. The 40-year-old Northern Irishman has been serving a 20-year prison sentence since 2021.

Recently, a judge ordered the confiscation of Hughes’ assets, valued at £182,078.90 ($222,807), to contribute to a £283,802.58 ($347,272) compensation package for the victims' families.

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