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Viet Nam Customs enhances maritime law enforcement capacity through support programs of International Agencies and Organizations

Since 2023, within the framework of cooperation with the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Viet Nam Customs has sent numerous officers to participate in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training courses in Batam, Indonesia, organized jointly by GMCP/UNODC and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla). This is one of the practical cooperation activities aimed at enhancing maritime law enforcement capacity to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of combating transnational crime.

The VBSS training curriculum is designed with a practical approach, closely integrating theory and hands-on exercises, focusing on skills such as vessel approach and control, ensuring safety during boarding operations, search techniques, handling operational situations, and collecting evidence at sea. Through these activities, participants are equipped with the essential competencies to effectively engage in inspection and control operations, particularly in the context of increasingly sophisticated methods of smuggling, illicit trafficking of goods, drug-related crimes, and other transnational offenses. In addition to improving professional capacity, these activities also provide opportunities for law enforcement forces to exchange experience, access international best practices, and strengthen cooperation networks with domestic and regional law enforcement agencies, thereby contributing positively to maritime security and safety as well as the sustainable development of the maritime economy.

During the 2023–2026 period, a total of 40 customs officers participated in VBSS training courses, demonstrating the proactive approach and strong commitment of Viet Nam Customs to enhancing maritime law enforcement capacity. In April 2026 alone, two delegations of Vietnam Customs officers, together with members of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, Viet Nam Waterway Traffic Police, and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), participated in a 10-day training program in Batam, Indonesia.

Notably, since 2025, three officers from the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department have been selected to serve as assistant instructors, directly supporting training activities and practical exercises. Taking on this role requires not only solid professional expertise and proficient operational skills, but also the ability to effectively communicate and share experience in an international training environment. The increasingly active participation of Vietnam Customs, evolving from trainees to assistant instructors, clearly reflects the force’s growing professional capacity, international integration mindset, and adaptability to international standards.

Vân Anh