Supporting young people who are "not well-behaved"
In addition to handling violations, the police forces in communes and wards throughout Nghe An province are persistently implementing various preventive measures, rehabilitating and supporting young people at risk of violating the law. This approach, starting early at the grassroots level, has contributed to reducing violations and helping many young people change their perceptions and adjust their behavior.
Accompanying and influencing
For nearly a year now, To Duc A has become accustomed to going to the Do Luong Commune Police Station. Sometimes he goes to report as required by the management, sometimes to be reprimanded for violations, and sometimes just to sit and chat with police officers about his studies, work, and future plans. Most recently, when the police called him in for a discussion, he had just finished a delivery shift. His face was still the same, but the 2009-born student no longer had the reckless demeanor of his days of illegal street racing; he had gradually become more aware, remorseful, and was improving day by day.
Recalling the past, what Duc A said most often was: "I truly regret it." The mistakes began in 10th grade when he was studying at the Vocational Training Center in Do Luong district and had a conflict and fought with a classmate. After being suspended from school, Duc A left his hometown and worked for nearly a year in Hai Phong, Hanoi, and Bac Ninh before returning to Vinh. Without the supervision of his family and school, he gradually became involved with bad groups, repeatedly participating in and even directly cheering on illegal street racing, and was even dealt with by the police.
The change came in early 2026. During a review of young people at risk of violating the law, Lieutenant Nguyen Duc Dai of the Crime Prevention and Control Police Team, Do Luong Commune Police, identified Duc A as a case requiring attention. "At that time, he wasn't in the local area, so I only contacted him by phone. Initially, he was quite stubborn. I called many times but he didn't answer, so I had to go and meet his mother to connect and talk to him," Lieutenant Nguyen Duc Dai recalled.
Later, Duc A recounted that he was initially very scared when he received the phone call from the police officers. But it was the encouragement of Lieutenant Nguyen Duc Dai: "Whatever you do, you must finish your high school diploma and learn a trade so that you can have a stable life later" that made him think. Duc A himself admitted that after nearly a year of running away from home, he had come to deeply regret his actions.
That sincerity and perseverance changed the 17-year-old's mind, and Duc A decided to return to his hometown and re-enroll in the 10th grade vocational school specializing in automotive repair. Outside of school hours, he joined the "Ship Do Luong" group to earn extra income. Although no longer under special surveillance, he still regularly receives phone calls from the local police officers. Whenever he shows any unusual behavior, he is promptly reminded and guided to avoid reoffending.
Not only Duc A, but Lieutenant Nguyen Duc Dai's notebook also contains a list of about 10 members of the "Ship Do Luong" group, most of whom are young men with a history of mischief. The group, founded by a young man born in 2005, delivers goods to shops and restaurants in the area. This model not only provides a legitimate income but also helps members avoid pointless gatherings, gradually forming a positive lifestyle.
The joy of those working in rehabilitation also comes from unexpected phone calls. Last week, Major Pham Viet Duc, an officer of the Crime Prevention and Control Team of the Nam Dan Commune Police, received a call from Ms. Nguyen Thi Tam in Hong Thai hamlet reporting that her son, Tran Van C. (born in 2008), a student at a private school, had just scored 26 points on his high school graduation exam and had many opportunities to be admitted to top universities. Previously, during Tet in 2026, C. had participated in the illegal buying, selling, and storing of firecrackers and had been placed under supervision.
After handling the matter according to regulations, the police repeatedly visited the student's home to meet with and encourage them, coordinating with the family and school to monitor and help them focus on their studies. Today's result is the greatest reward for those who persistently supported these students.
The effect is clearly visible.
The thematic monitoring dossier for the implementation of Plan 782/KH-CAT-PV01 on the comprehensive review, strengthening management, prevention, combating, and deterrence of crime.the situation of young people and students violating the law.The public disorder report compiled by the Nam Dan Commune Police, which was only created after May 1, 2025, is already hundreds of pages long. It includes a complete list of all students in the area, highlighting exceptional cases and files of dozens of young people who have previously violated the law and require monitoring.
According to Major Pham Viet Duc, while youth violations were previously mostly spontaneous, the development of social media has made gatherings and incitement of young people faster and more difficult to control. Through TikTok and Messenger alone, many groups arrange locations and times to gather, cheer on illegal street racing, or disrupt public order. Many young people, even those not acting as ringleaders, are swept along by mob mentality, becoming participants or accomplices.
Upon review, the majority of violations occurred among students; many dropped out of school or frequently missed classes on weekends. Notably, many lacked family attention due to parents working far away, divorce, or being busy earning a living. This also makes them easily influenced by bad friends and temptations on the internet.
Discussing the situation of law violations among teenagers, Major Nguyen Viet Thanh - Deputy Head of the Nam Dan Commune Police - said that currently, the law prioritizes educational measures to help minors correct their mistakes and reintegrate into the community. This is a humane policy, but it also leads to some cases where individuals do not fully understand the consequences of their actions, and even re-offend after being warned.
To prevent future incidents, the Nam Dan Commune Police maintain a "checking and verification" system for young people under their supervision. In the evenings, on weekends, or at times when there is a risk of gatherings, police officers directly visit families to check on the young people or require them to be present at the police station. After each verification session, the young people participate in cleaning the premises, performing community service, writing pledges not to re-offend, and receiving legal education.
For high-risk cases, attendance checks are conducted 1-2 times per week. Simultaneously, the police regularly coordinate with families and schools to monitor their studies, daily lives, and provide guidance on vocational training and job placement. The goal of this model is not to punish but, through regular meetings, to help students change their perceptions and stay away from groups and associations that pose a risk of wrongdoing.
In Do Luong commune, before the implementation of Project 1782, the security and order situation was complicated, with many groups of young people gathering at night, driving at high speeds, encouraging street racing, and causing disturbances. Many cases involved individuals being lured into these activities through social media from neighboring localities.
According to Lieutenant Nguyen Duc Dai, most of the young people are still very young, like to express themselves, and are easily influenced by friends and social media. Therefore, the commune police have identified prevention, education, and rehabilitation as the main focus. Each youth under their supervision is assigned a responsible officer who regularly monitors their studies, work, relationships, and psychological development. Simultaneously, they conduct awareness campaigns and analyze the consequences of reckless driving, disturbing public order, possessing firecrackers, and carrying weapons; they also share real-life stories of successful individuals and those who have paid the price for their impulsive actions.
Accompanying the youth, Lieutenant Nguyen Duc Dai also shared that the most important thing in the rehabilitation process is not deterrence but building trust so that the children see police officers as older brothers and friends, and are willing to share. Thanks to persistent and grassroots-oriented approaches, the number of young people under supervision in the area has decreased from 72 to 52 cases. Among the more than 20 children who received close monitoring and support, many have returned to high schools, continuing education centers, and vocational schools; many others have found stable jobs or achieved good academic results...
