A high-level delegation from Viet Nam’s Ministry of Public Security, led by Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and Deputy Minister of Public Security, visited the Netherlands from October 31 to November 3.
The delegation had working sessions with Dutch partners to advance cooperation in law enforcement, prison management, and the security of seaports and critical infrastructure.
Sharing experience in prison management and inmate reintegration
On November 2, Deputy Minister Le Van Tuyen met with Toon Moolleman, head of the Netherlands’ Custodial Institutions Agency, and visited Zeist Prison to learn about its operation.
Deputy Minister Le Van Tuyen, Mr. Toon Moolleman and other delegates.
The two sides discussed their correctional systems, including prison management, inmate education and rehabilitation, and support for reintegration of inmates into society. Providing an overview of detention facilities managed by Viet Nam’s Ministry of Public Security, Deputy Minister Tuyen spoke highly of Dutch experience in prison administration, rehabilitation programmes and support for ex-prisoners returning to the community after serving their sentences.
Mr. Moolleman said the Dutch correctional system places emphasis on detention conditions, with education, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates at its core. Zeist Prison Director Eelke Meijer also outlined efforts to safeguard inmates’ basic rights and provide vocational guidance to reduce reoffending.
The two sides agreed to increase delegation exchanges and share expertise in operating open prisons and smart prisons through training and expert exchanges. They also agreed to explore support for building skills in technology use and digital transformation in prison administration, data management, and inmate education and rehabilitation.
Advancing technology for seaport security
The same day, Deputy Minister Tuyen and the delegation visited the automated APM Terminal II container terminal in Rotterdam and met with its management. They learned about port operations and the use of automation to control access by people and vehicles, manage cargo handling, and ensure security and safety.
Deputy Minister Tuyen highlighted the practical value of learning from international experience as Viet Nam advances industrialisation, modernisation and digital transformation, particularly at seaports, logistics hubs and critical infrastructure facilities.
He proposed closer exchanges on security solutions for container terminals and automated ports, alongside cooperation to prevent, detect and combat transnational crime, smuggling and the maritime transport of prohibited goods. He also suggested sharing expertise in cybersecurity for port operating systems and essential information technology infrastructure.
The Deputy Minister proposed exploring study visits and training programmes to identify areas of cooperation suited to each side’s needs and strengths.
Expanding security and law enforcement cooperation
On November 3, the delegation met with Guusje Korthais, Deputy Director-General for Political Affairs at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides reviewed achievements in bilateral cooperation over more than five decades.
Deputy Minister Tuyen commended the Dutch Foreign Ministry’s role in advancing bilateral ties, strengthening dialogue and facilitating broader cooperation between the two countries’ relevant agencies.
On security and law enforcement, the Vietnamese side proposed continuing delegation exchanges, maintaining dialogue and contacts at all levels, and effectively implementing existing cooperation documents. These include the memorandum of understanding on a cooperation programme to implement the United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT).
The delegation also called for closer coordination against transnational crime and proposed exploring negotiations on agreements covering extradition, the transfer of sentenced persons and crime prevention and control.
It further asked the Netherlands to consider visa exemptions for Vietnamese diplomatic and official passport holders to facilitate exchanges and cooperation between the two countries’ agencies.
Dutch partners expressed their wish to further cooperation with Viet Nam’s Ministry of Public Security in areas of mutual interest.
Deputy Minister Le Van Tuyen presents a gift to the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands.
During the visit, Deputy Minister Tuyen and the delegation also had a meeting at the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands. Vietnamese Chargé d’Affaires Le Gia Thinh briefed the delegation on bilateral relations, the embassy’s activities and the Vietnamese community in the country.
Deputy Minister Tuyen applauded the embassy staff’s efforts in diplomatic affairs, promoting the bilateral ties and protecting Vietnamese citizens in the country. He urged the embassy to continue serving as a bridge between the two countries, advise the Party and State on ways to advance cooperation, and provide timely assistance to safeguard Vietnamese citizens’ legitimate rights and interests.
