Law enforcement in Vietnam

Law enforcement in Vietnam is primarily administered by the Ministry of Public Security through the People’s Public Security Forces, a uniformed state body responsible for maintaining public order, enforcing the law, and protecting national security. [1]The force also undertakes criminal investigations covering a wide range of offenses, including economic crimes and activities considered threats to state security. As part of the People’s Armed Forces, it combines conventional policing functions with intelligence and internal security responsibilities under the centralized authority of the one-party state that is the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).[2]

Vietnam People's Public Security is a part of Vietnam People's Armed Forces, it includes two branches:

  • Vietnam People's Police
  • Vietnam People's Security Force

Organizational structure

National level

At the apex of the hierarchy is the Ministry of Public Security, a cabinet-level body responsible for:

The Ministry of Public Security is headed by a minister who reports to the national government and party leadership. Under the ministry are numerous general departments and specialized bureaus responsible for distinct operational domains, including economic crime, drug enforcement, technical surveillance, and public security intelligence.[1]

Provincial and local levels

Below the national command structure are geographically organized police units:

  1. 1 Provincial/Municipal Department of Public Security
  1. 2 District Public Security Units
  • Handle criminal investigations
  • Conduct patrol and community policing
  • Supervise custody and case processing[1]
  1. 3 Commune/Ward Public Security Posts
  • Grassroots security presence
  • Household registration and residency management
  • Local dispute mediation
  • Public order monitoring[2]

Types of Police

Traffic police

Traffic enforcement in Vietnam is carried out by the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security. Traffic police units operate at national, provincial, and municipal levels, with responsibility for road safety enforcement, transport regulation, and vehicular crime prevention.[3]




Mobile Police and Special Weapons and Tactics units

Main article: Mobile Police Command

Vietnam’s closest equivalent to SWAT forces operates under the Mobile Police Command, a rapid-response paramilitary branch of the People’s Public Security Forces. These units are trained and equipped for counterterrorism, riot suppression, hostage rescue, and high-risk armed operations.[4]

The Mobile Police Command reports directly to the Ministry of Public Security and maintains regional regiments positioned for rapid deployment nationwide.

Revolutionary foundations (1945–1954)

Vietnam’s contemporary law enforcement institutions emerged during the August Revolution of 1945, when revolutionary authorities established security organizations to defend the newly proclaimed Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Early public security units were tasked with counter-espionage, protection of revolutionary leaders, suppression of armed opposition groups, and maintenance of civil order in areas under revolutionary control.[5]

Security personnel frequently operated in wartime environments. Their duties included identifying infiltrators, dismantling clandestine networks, securing supply routes, and enforcing administrative directives issued by revolutionary committees.[5]

Institutionalization in North Vietnam (1954–1975)

After the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam in 1954, North Vietnam formalized a centralized public security structure. The Ministry of Public Security developed specialized departments dedicated to political protection, economic regulation enforcement, border defense, and internal intelligence.

During the Vietnam War, public security forces conducted counterintelligence operations, protected strategic infrastructure, monitored population movements, and investigated suspected collaboration with foreign intelligence services. Security organs also managed wartime detention systems and ideological re-education programs.[5]

Post-reunification expansion (1975–1986)

Following national reunification in 1975, the Ministry of Public Security extended its authority across the entire country. Southern policing institutions were reorganized and integrated into the socialist security framework.

During this period, the ministry oversaw political vetting of former regime personnel, administration of re-education facilities, suppression of armed insurgent remnants ,enforcement of centralized economic controls[5]

Public security forces played a major role in consolidating state authority during the transition to unified governance.

Reform era modernization (1986–present)

The Đổi Mới reforms initiated in 1986 transformed Vietnam’s economy and produced new law enforcement challenges. Market liberalization led to the growth of financial crime, smuggling networks, corruption cases, and cyber-enabled offenses.

In response, the Ministry of Public Security expanded professional training, established economic and cybercrime units, and strengthened international policing cooperation. Legal reforms clarified investigative procedures, detention regulations, and prosecutorial coordination.[5]

Research

Vietnamese law enforcement was involved in policing HIV transmission amongst intravenous drug users:

Police perceive conflicting responsibilities, but overwhelmingly see their responsibility as enforcing drug laws, identifying and knowing drug users, and selecting those for compulsory detention. Harm reduction training was very patchy, ward police not being seen as important to it; and understanding of harm reduction was limited.

— Melissa Jardine, Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association[6]

The law was changed in 2009, to decriminalize drug use, effective 2010; this triggered a change to one of a harm reduction model.[7][8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Role, functions, missions and organizational structure of the People's Public Security Forces". en.mps.gov.vn. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  2. ^ a b Times, Vietnam (2020-03-18). "Vietnam People's Public Security: Role, function, mission and structure". Vietnam Times. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  3. ^ "Vietnam Traffic Police's role ininternational cooperation on transportation". Public Security News. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  4. ^ "Mobile Police Command", Wikipedia, 2025-12-18, retrieved 2026-02-16
  5. ^ a b c d e "History of People's Public Security Forces of Vietnam". en.bocongan.gov.vn. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  6. ^ Jardine, Melissa (2013). "HARM REDUCTION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN VIETNAM: INFLUENCES ON STREET POLICING". Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (Glepha.com). Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  7. ^ Hai Thanh Luong; Luc Trong Hoang (1 January 2021). "'We realised we needed a new approach': Government and law enforcement perspectives on the implementation and future of the drug decriminalisation policy in Vietnam". International Journal of Drug Policy. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102990. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  8. ^ Hai Thanh Luong; Toan Quang Le (1 December 2019). "Vietnam's policing in harm reduction: Has one decade seen changes in drug control?". Journal of CSWB. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
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