Abstract
Locating closely with the Golden Triangle, as one of the largest opium-producing over the world, Vietnam has been expanded considerably as transit route for illegal drug trade’s networks to and through in recent times. Approaching secondary data of Vietnam’s authorities in terms of prevention, combat, and drug control during the period of 2008–2014, first, this chapter focuses on analysis trends of two popular types of drugs, heroin and amphetamine-type stimulants, based on the number of drug-related cases in Vietnam, both the number of seizures made and of people involved in trafficking. Second, the study also identifies main routes of transnational drug trafficking across the Vietnam’s borderland with its neighbors. Some of distinguishing characteristics of these groups are analyzed and assessed compared to other nations and regions. Third, the chapter reviews Vietnam’s responses with its viewpoints, targets, tasks, and solutions to deal with this battle. This section also introduces and assesses the National Strategy of Vietnam to prevent, combat, and control drugs by 2020 with an orientation toward 2030.
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Notes
- 1.
At the reconvened 53rd session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in December 2010, Member States adopted a revised Annual Report Questionnaire (ARQ) to enable the monitoring of and the biennial reporting to the Commission on the implementation by Member States of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy t to Counter the World Drug Problem, as well as for the reporting to the Commission mandated by the three international drug control conventions. The first reports resulting from the revised ARQs have been considered by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its 56th session in 2013.
- 2.
On 14 February 2006, Laos declared to the world that it was virtually opium free. Opium poppy cultivation has declined to just 1,800 hectares in 2005, down from 26,870 hectares in 1998, a 93 % decline. Moreover, domestic opium consumption has been reduced by over 68 % over the same period.
- 3.
During the period of 1992–2006, there are two strategy documents in terms of the central role of the CPV to drug’s issues, including the Instruction 06-CT/TW dated November 30, 1996 of the Politburo on consolidating the leadership over drug prevention, combat and control Directive 21-CT/TW dated March 26, 2008 of the Politburo on consolidating the leadership over drug prevention, combat and control in new circumstances
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Acknowledgments
The author would like to express his respect and gratitude to his PhD primary supervisor, Associate Professor. Paul Battersby Deputy Dean, School for Global, Urban, and Social Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for his helpful comments.
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Luong, H.T. (2017). Drug Trafficking Trends and Its Responses: A Case Study of Vietnam. In: Viano, E. (eds) Cybercrime, Organized Crime, and Societal Responses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44501-4_9
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