Vietnam, Laos Step Up Cooperation to Combat Transnational Online Fraud

Building on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos, the two countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime, including cross-border online fraud. The law enforcement agencies of both nations will effectively implement their 2026 cooperation plan and intensify joint efforts against international crime. Specifically, they will coordinate drug crime prevention campaigns along their shared border and continue key projects such as the population management and citizen identification system, and the Lao security command center. This enhanced cooperation is also reflected in a declaration endorsed at the ASEAN Prosecutors/Attorneys General Meeting (APAGM) in Bali. The declaration commits regional prosecutors to closer coordination in addressing transnational offenses such as online gambling, scams, corruption, money laundering, and cross-border asset smuggling. ASEAN member states have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening intra-bloc cooperation in addressing common security challenges. Domestically, Vietnam is also pushing forward with digital transformation. Ca Mau province is stepping up a 100-day campaign to remove bottlenecks in digital transformation and improve public services, focusing on online administrative procedures, digital data, and digital infrastructure. However, developing specific and effective solutions to ensure all citizens can use and benefit from the digital transformation process remains a challenge. Furthermore, the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia recommends that prospective migrant workers actively seek and verify information from the outset to protect themselves from fraudulent recruitment schemes and labor exploitation. Participants at a workshop on social protection for app-based drivers noted that while the platform economy offers flexible working hours and income opportunities, drivers also face considerable risks and uncertainty. Additionally, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung ordered a prompt investigation into the cause of a house fire in Hanoi on September 16 that killed five people. These events highlight the diverse challenges Vietnam faces and the importance of cooperation, both domestically and with neighboring countries, in addressing them. Source: VietnamPlus English