How USAID is Building Local Capacity to Prevent Human Trafficking in Vietnam
Nobody wants to be unable to give support to someone in need, but that is exactly what Hoang Thanh Thao faced when four survivors of human trafficking came into her office seeking help at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. Thao struggled to understand their needs and address their fears. “I felt helpless,” Thao said.
“I wanted to give them the care they needed, but I just didn’t know what to do.”
Thao’s experience is not unique. In Vietnam, frontline workers often lack the specific skills needed to effectively identify and provide support to survivors of trafficking. USAID partnered with Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to create a curriculum for social workers, police, border guards, and women’s union representatives to close this gap and improve support for this vulnerable population.
In April 2023, Thao attended one of the first training sessions, where she learned about trauma-informed care, gender sensitivity, and guidance on potential legal issues. Through these sessions, Thao increased her ability to evaluate the essential needs and potential hazards of survivors and how to offer them appropriate support services through a survivor centered approach. “I feel very lucky to have gained more knowledge and skills. This has helped me assist victims and provide them with better support,” Thao shared.
After these trainings, Thao was selected to receive personal coaching to further her professional development. Eager to share this new knowledge with her colleagues, she was paired with experienced trainers to learn how to facilitate trainings for her peers. This resulted in Thao facilitating 11 departmental trainings for social workers and community-based partners. She has also led anti-trafficking communication sessions on the risks of being trafficked, preventive measures, support services, and hotlines in vocational training schools, colleges, and universities throughout Ho Chi Minh City as well as in industrial and export processing zones. Commenting on what motivates her, Thao said, “The more people who are informed about how to prevent human trafficking, the greater the impact.”
Since August of 2023, Thao, along with 10 other frontline workers, collectively, have trained more than 100 other frontline workers. USAID and its partners are continually improving the curriculum based on field testing, participant experience, and knowledge assessments. Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs plans to institutionalize the curriculum to train both pre- and in-service providers.
Support for frontline workers like Thao is building long-term, sustainable local capacity and strengthening advocacy to prevent and combat human trafficking across Vietnam. Thao is now confident in her role and motivated to make a difference.
“The most important thing is to avoid stigma. Human trafficking is something that can happen to anyone if you don’t have the knowledge and skills to prevent it.” - Hoang Thanh Thao
