They're resorting to the tactic of "adding fuel to the fire" again.

CopyReport on the situation of human traffickingThe 2022 World Report, recently published by the U.S. Department of State, contains a section on Vietnam that is subjective, one-sided, and inaccurate. It does not fully and accurately reflect the situation, determination, and efforts of Vietnam in preventing and combating human trafficking. Based on isolated, unverified cases, the U.S. Department of State report claims that Vietnam condones and covers up human trafficking crimes and places Vietnam in Group 3, which includes countries that do not meet the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking…

Immediately after the report was published, hostile and reactionary forces seized the opportunity to spread distorted propaganda against Vietnam. Notably, Nguyen Dinh Thang, the ringleader of the so-called Committee for Rescuing Boat People, took advantage of the situation to spread propaganda, distort the facts, and deny Vietnam's efforts in combating human trafficking. Nguyen Dinh Thang recklessly concluded that Vietnam is a human trafficking country. Following Nguyen Dinh Thang's lead, several hostile and reactionary organizations and individuals gleefully praised the US State Department's assessments, claiming they were a success stemming from their propaganda efforts against Vietnam.

Nguyen Dinh Thang - the ringleader of the Committee to Rescue People Crossing the Sea. Source: cand.com.vn

Based on the misleading information in the US State Department's report, they are adding fuel to the fire by spreading malicious and fabricated rumors to tarnish Vietnam's image and undermine its prestige internationally, denying the achievements of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam in their reform process. They are slandering and defaming Vietnam's human rights record; distorting Vietnam's socio-economic development policies and strategies aimed at protecting and promoting human rights, maintaining social order and stability... From the issue of human trafficking, they are dragging it into the socio-economic sphere to sabotage Vietnam's investment environment. They are speculating that Vietnam's investment environment is unsafe, claiming that being ranked in Group 3 means Vietnam will face sanctions, international companies will hesitate to do business with Vietnam, and consumers will boycott Vietnamese goods...

We are all too familiar with the schemes of Nguyen Dinh Thang and a number of hostile individuals and organizations. Their actions are not aimed at combating human trafficking in Vietnam or worldwide, as they have claimed. In reality, their actions are to exploit the issue of human trafficking globally and in Vietnam specifically to "polish" their image, attract the attention of international organizations, and seek funding, but not for charitable purposes; instead, it is used for personal expenses. It is this ambiguity and lack of transparency on the part of Nguyen Dinh Thang that has led to accusations and lawsuits within the so-called Committee for Rescuing Boat People. Taking advantage of the US State Department's misleading information and its classification of Vietnam as a Group 3 country… Nguyen Dinh Thang againhiding behind the guise of protecting human rights.Combating human trafficking to undermine Vietnam.

Regarding the US State Department's 2022 report on the global trafficking of persons, the spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed: The US State Department's 2022 report on the global trafficking of persons contains inaccurate information and does not fully and accurately reflect the situation and Vietnam's efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking... In reality, Vietnam's efforts, endeavors, and results in the fight against human trafficking are comprehensive, clear, and undeniable.

Vietnam's efforts, endeavors, and achievements in the fight against human trafficking are comprehensive, clear, and undeniable; no one can distort or misrepresent them.

Signing ceremony of the coordination regulations between the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defence, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the work of receiving, protecting, and supporting victims of human trafficking, July 18, 2022. Photo: VNA

Vietnam resolutely condemns and strongly opposes all actions that hinder the fight against human trafficking and vehemently rejects all distorted and fabricated propaganda aimed at denying Vietnam's achievements in protecting human rights in general and its efforts to combat human trafficking in particular. Any actions by hostile organizations and individuals, such as Nguyen Dinh Thang, that use human trafficking as a cover, exploiting false information from the US State Department report to spread distorted propaganda against Vietnam, are meaningless and will inevitably fail.