From October 13 to 15, a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam, led by Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of Public Security, conducted a working visit to the Slovak Republic.
During the visit, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung held talks with Mr. Matúš Šutaj Eštok, Minister of the Interior of Slovakia. Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Pham Truong Giang was also in attendance.
Enhancing legal framework for crime prevention cooperation
As part of the meeting, the two sides reviewed progress in cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam and the Ministry of the Interior of Slovakia and discussed measures to prevent and control crime in the current context.
Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok noted that many areas of cooperation have been actively implemented since his meeting with Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang in Slovakia in September 2025. In response to evolving criminal activities and the changing organizational and operational requirements of both ministries, the Slovak side proposed reviewing and re-signing the Agreement on Crime Prevention and Control.
Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung suggested upgrading the agreement to an intergovernmental treaty on crime prevention and control to strengthen cooperation and enhance legal effectiveness. The leaders of the two ministries agreed to assign relevant units to discuss and agree on negotiation plans and draft documents for future signing.
Viet Nam-Slovakia relations have grown significantly since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1950, especially after the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in April 2026. Law enforcement cooperation remains a key area within this partnership.
The two ministries have maintained delegation exchanges and shared experiences in combating transnational crime, high-tech crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism. They have also cooperated in providing equipment and enhancing capabilities in fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue operations. The 2017 Agreement on Crime Prevention and Control and the Letter of Intent signed on September 29, 2025, serve as the foundation for these cooperative activities.
To further streamline coordination, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung proposed that both sides increase delegation exchanges at all levels, support each other at multilateral forums and international organizations, and jointly organize training courses on cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, digital transformation, and the application of information technology in ensuring security and order.
The Deputy Minister also suggested making full use of the INTERPOL cooperation channel to exchange information, coordinate investigations, and handle cases involving citizens of both countries, as well as to pursue, extradite, and repatriate wanted individuals in accordance with the laws.
Regarding training, the Vietnamese side proposed that the Slovak Ministry of the Interior increase quotas and support capacity building for Vietnamese police officers, especially in fire prevention, firefighting and rescue operations. Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok affirmed Slovakia’s readiness to provide training, share experience, and offer modern technology in this field.
Both parties also discussed coordination to ensure the safety of high-level visits and diplomatic missions, and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of each country’s expats. Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung encouraged Slovakia to continue to share information on terrorism risks and transnational crime to help ensure security and safety for events during the APEC Year 2027, held in Viet Nam.
On this occasion, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung conveyed an invitation from General Luong Tam Quang, Politburo Member and Minister of Public Security, to Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok to pay an official visit to Vietnam. The Slovak Minister of the Interior expressed his appreciation and accepted the invitation.
Museum development and supporting the Vietnamese community
Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung and the delegation from the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam also visited the Slovak Police Museum in Bratislava and held talks with Ms. Lucia Kurilovská, First State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of the Interior.
Commending the Slovak Police Museum for its good operational model, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung stated that it offers valuable reference experience for developing the new Public Security Museum in Viet Nam. He proposed that both sides enhance exchanges on digitizing documents and artifacts, developing digital museums, online exhibitions, and applying technology in displays and visitor interaction.
On behalf of the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung presented the Slovak Police Museum with a set of Vietnamese police ceremonial uniforms. Representatives of the Slovak Ministry of the Interior and the museum’s management expressed their gratitude and said the artifact would be displayed with honor.
Moreover, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung and the working delegation held a warm meeting with Ambassador Pham Truong Giang and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia. Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung acknowledged the embassy’s contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and requested continued coordination with Ministry of Public Security units in information exchange, citizen protection, and support for the Vietnamese community in the country.
The talks also covered measures to support the Vietnamese community. Ambassador Pham Truong Giang requested that Slovak authorities continue close cooperation with the embassy to support Vietnamese people living and working legally and stably in Slovakia. Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok highly valued the Vietnamese community's contributions to Slovakia’s development, and affirmed that conditions will remain favorable.
