Law enforcement in Vietnam is primarily administered by the Ministry of Public Security through the People’s Public Security Forces, a uniformed state body responsible for maintaining public order, enforcing the law, and protecting national security. The force also undertakes criminal investigations covering a wide range of offenses, including economic crimes and activities considered threats to state security. As part of the People’s Armed Forces, it combines conventional policing functions with intelligence and internal security responsibilities under the centralized authority of the one-party state that is the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

Vietnam People's Public Security is a part of Vietnam People's Armed Forces, it includes two branches: Vietnam People's Police Vietnam People's Security Force

Organizational structure

National level At the apex of the hierarchy is the Ministry of Public Security, a cabinet-level body responsible for:

National policing policy Internal intelligence and counterintelligence Counterterrorism and counter-subversion Cybersecurity and information security Immigration and border control Criminal justice administration The Ministry of Public Security is headed by a minister who reports to the national government and party leadership. Under the ministry are numerous general departments and specialized bureaus responsible for distinct operational domains, including economic crime, drug enforcement, technical surveillance, and public security intelligence.

Provincial and local levels Below the national command structure are geographically organized police units:

1 Provincial/Municipal Department of Public Security

Administer policing within provinces and major cities Implement national directives Manage large investigations and detention facilities

2 District Public Security Units

Handle criminal investigations Conduct patrol and community policing Supervise custody and case processing

3 Commune/Ward Public Security Posts

Grassroots security presence Household registration and residency management Local dispute mediation Public order monitoring

Types of Police

Traffic police Traffic enforcement in Vietnam is carried out by the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security. Traffic police units operate at national, provincial, and municipal levels, with responsibility for road safety enforcement, transport regulation, and vehicular crime prevention.

Mobile Police and Special Weapons and Tactics units

Vietnam’s closest equivalent to SWAT forces operates under the Mobile Police Command, a rapid-response paramilitary branch of the People’s Public Security Forces. These units are trained and equipped for counterterrorism, riot suppression, hostage rescue, and high-risk armed operations.

The Mobile Police Command reports directly to the Ministry of Public Security and maintains regional regiments positioned for rapid deployment nationwide.

Revolutionary foundations (1945–1954) Vietnam’s contemporary law enforcement institutions emerged during the August Revolution of 1945, when revolutionary authorities established security organizations to defend the newly proclaimed Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Early public security units were tasked with counter-espionage, protection of revolutionary leaders, suppression of armed opposition groups, and maintenance of civil order in areas under revolutionary control.

Security personnel frequently operated in wartime environments. Their duties included identifying infiltrators, dismantling clandestine networks, securing supply routes, and enforcing administrative directives issued by revolutionary committees.

Institutionalization in North Vietnam (1954–1975) After the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam in 1954, North Vietnam formalized a centralized public security structure. The Ministry of Public Security developed specialized departments dedicated to political protection, economic regulation enforcement, border defense, and internal intelligence.

During the Vietnam War, public security forces conducted counterintelligence operations, protected strategic infrastructure, monitored population movements, and investigated suspected collaboration with foreign intelligence services. Security organs also managed wartime detention systems and ideological re-education programs.

Post-reunification expansion (1975–1986) Following national reunification in 1975, the Ministry of Public Security extended its authority across the entire country. Southern policing institutions were reorganized and integrated into the socialist security framework.

During this period, the ministry oversaw political vetting of former regime personnel, administration of re-education facilities, suppression of armed insurgent remnants, enforcement of centralized economic controls

Public security forces played a major role in consolidating state authority during the transition to unified governance.

Reform era modernization (1986–present) The Đổi Mới reforms initiated in 1986 transformed Vietnam’s economy and produced new law enforcement challenges. Market liberalization led to the growth of financial crime, smuggling networks, corruption cases, and cyber-enabled offenses.

In response, the Ministry of Public Security expanded professional training, established economic and cybercrime units, and strengthened international policing cooperation. Legal reforms clarified investigative procedures, detention regulations, and prosecutorial coordination.

Weapons The following is a list of firearms that the law enforcement in Vietnam uses: NameOriginAPXUsed in 2012.Steckin APSUsed ever since the Vietnam War.PX-4Used by Mobile Police Command.Beretta 92Less commonly used.TT-33 (K54)Also used by the military and special forces.Pistolet Makarova (K59)Also produced two models: SN9 (8 rounds) and SN9M (12 rounds).CZ-82The 9×18mm Makarov model of CZ 83 was imported in the 1980s, and now still in use with People's Army of Vietnam and Vietnam People's Public Security.CZ 75 P-07Widely used from 2012 to the present.GlockCommonly used from 2010 to the present. Includes two versions: Glock 19 and Glock 34.P-64Donated by Poland; exact numbers were unknown. Also used by the People's Public Security in limited number.HS-9Unknown amount in circulation.Heckler & Koch MP5This includes the Pakistani and Turkish MP5-A3 versions.Micro UziThe Micro-Uzi is manufactured under the name TK K12 at the Z111 factory according to the technology standards and license provided by Israel. TK-K12 is equipped for the Vietnam Special Forces.AK-47Widely used in the Vietnam War (1954-1975).Galil ACELimited use since 2010. The IWI has established a $100 million factory in Vietnam via the Z111 Factory, to produce an unspecified number of Galil ACE assault rifles for the PAVN.STV-380Used by the 1st Peacekeeping Police Unit.RPKWidely used during the Vietnam War (1964-1975) and from 1976 to the present.RPDWidely used during the Vietnam War (1964-1975) and from 1976 to the present.

Research

Vietnamese law enforcement was involved in policing HIV transmission amongst intravenous drug users:

The law was changed in 2009, to decriminalize drug use, effective 2010; this triggered a change to one of a harm reduction model.

See also Vietnam Coast Guard Vietnam Border Guard

References

External links

Website of The Vietnam People's Police (In Vietnamese)