Ho Chi Minh City Targets a Drug-Free Status by 2030

Photo courtesy of VN Express

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have announced an ambitious goal to make the city drug-free by 2030. The comprehensive plan combines law enforcement efforts with community prevention initiatives. By the end of 2029, the aim is for every commune, ward, and residential area to meet official drug-free standards.

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The city's new strategy is part of a broader anti-drug campaign reviewing national prevention measures from 2021 to 2025. Local officials have highlighted progress in tackling drug trafficking, with significant cases uncovered recently. However, the drug problem continues to evolve, with traffickers increasingly using technology such as anonymous online transactions and cryptocurrencies.

Drug smuggling routes include air travel, maritime shipping, and postal services, while synthetic drug use is rising, particularly among young people. Consumption has shifted to private spaces, complicating enforcement efforts. Officials emphasize that achieving a drug-free city requires more than policing, with expanded prevention campaigns and rehabilitation programs seen as crucial.

The city has set near-term targets, aiming for 30% of commune-level areas and neighborhoods to be drug-free by 2026. Schools, hospitals, government offices, and businesses are also under scrutiny to remain drug-free. Enhanced oversight will focus on businesses handling chemical precursors to prevent their diversion into drug production.

Authorities are vigilant about drugs being disguised as consumer products like supplements and beverages. Given the cross-border operations of many drug networks, the city plans to enhance cooperation with international and Cambodian border provinces. The overall strategy emphasizes enforcement, prevention, and community involvement to eliminate drugs from daily life in Vietnam's largest city, reported VN Express.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 09 Mar 2026