Vietnam Women's Union

The Countering Human Trafficking in Viet Nam Project, funded through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), will be carried out by the US-based non-profit, non-governmental organisation The Asia Foundation, which has many years of experience in combating trafficking.

USAID and the foundation will work with the Ministry of Education and Training to educate people on safe migration in An Giang Province and Can Tho City.

This will provide an expected 40,000 students and other young people with the information and skills required to steer clear of trafficking schemes in their search for jobs or when considering marriage proposals far from home.

Around 200 officials and teachers will be trained to advise young people on safe migration issues.

Viet Nam is both a source country and, to a lesser degree, a destination country for trafficking. People with low education aged 18 to 40 and actively seeking work and income opportunities make up the highest proportion of trafficking victims, according to a press release from the US embassy in Ha Noi.

The project will also help strengthen shelter services for rescued trafficking victims. The Asia Foundation will work with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to provide policy guidance for shelter management and staff to support victims.

The US has supported programmes to help Viet Nam combat human trafficking since 2005.