In recent times, Da Nang has seen an increase in the number of criminals who are foreigners. Growing complicated, this problem has caused adverse impacts on the security across Da Nang. In a great effort to address this matter of deep concern, Da Nang police have been taking proper measures to crack down on foreign criminals.

Over the pas two years, more than 4.43 million foreigners have been granted temporary residence permits. In light of the complicated global COVID-19 outbreak, some Chinese border jumpers illegally entering Da Nang have been documented, thus posing many challenges in residence management activities by the local authorities. Offences committed by foreign nationals have turned complicated, showing signs of increase in terms of nature and extent, with many cases involving the use of high technology.

Over the past two years, Da Nang law enforcement forces have handled 149 cases involving a combined total of 1,189 foreign suspects violating the Vietnamese entry and exit laws, and imposed a sum of more than 10 billion VND in fines on them. Also, seven cases with a total 49 foreign violators of the security regulations have been dealt with.

Till date, 10 Chinese and 11 Vietnamese suspects have been put on trial for having committed acts of “brokering others to enter, exit or stay unlawfully in Viet Nam” pursuant to the Vietnamese Penal Code.

Besides, 28 Chinese and 6 South Korean nationals who were wanted by foreign countries have been detected in the city.

According to law enforcement agencies, in recent years, the Chinese government has launched many anti-crime sweeps. Therefore, many Chinese criminals have managed to enter neighbouring countries, mainly using tourism visas, to commit crimes. Still worse, foreign criminals also usually take advantage of loopholes in Viet Nam’s legal system to conduct acts against the laws.

More recently, the Da Nang administration has proposed the national government to direct relevant agencies to make amendments and supplements to a number of articles of the Ordinance on Handling of Administrative Violations, with a focus on adding new penalties on foreign violators.

At the same time, it is suggested that the Ministry of Public Security develop a set of criteria to review, inspect and evaluate security factors as a basis for consideration of granting foreign investment licences, especially investment projects whose construction sites are located in key areas in terms of security and defence.

Also, ministries and national government functional bodies must verify the legality and validity of documents submitted by foreigners before granting work permits and visas to them

For the time being, for Da Nang, there is no other way than to strengthen the State management over foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through and residence in the city, and tighten the control of hotels, private apartments for lease where foreigners stay in order to eliminate any their law violations, and strictly handle these offending cases in line with the Vietnamese laws.

Reporting by LE HUNG- Translating by A.T