Bangladesh and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cooperation against human trafficking, drug smuggling, and other transnational crime, while also addressing visa-related difficulties faced by Bangladeshi nationals in Vietnam.

These were discussed in a high-level bilateral meeting at the United Nations Headquarters, the Home Ministry said.

The meeting, held on July 7, was led by Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Public Security, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long.

The talks focused on the visa-related difficulties Bangladeshi nationals face in Vietnam and the repatriation of irregular migrants. 

Home Minister Salahuddin urged Hanoi to simplify visa procedures for genuine Bangladeshi tourists, business travellers, skilled professionals, and family visa applicants, while presenting specific proposals to facilitate the return of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals.

Emphasising the growing threat of cross-border crime, the home minister called for stronger institutional collaboration between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries to tackle human trafficking, drug smuggling, and other transnational criminal networks.

The two sides also agreed to intensify joint efforts to curb human trafficking and illegal migration as part of broader security cooperation between the two countries.

The Vietnamese delegation assured that Bangladesh's proposals would receive serious consideration.