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Vietnam's sex industry growing, increasingly young
  • | dtinews.vn | July 21, 2011 03:11 PM

The prostitution industry is reportedly on the rise in Vietnam, involving younger people and more female sex workers.

Two suspected teenage pimps

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs (MoLISA), investigation agencies along with grassroots organisations have brought about the prosecution of 346 cases, involving 474 suspects in the first six months of this year.

Among the suspects, 32% were female, 8 of whom were under the age of 18. Most of the girls came from rural areas, and had acted as call girls for some time.

The ministry said that an interdisciplinary law enforcement team uncovered 383 cases, leading to the arrest of 1,527 suspects between January and June. Of these, 748 were allegedly sex workers, 474 \'johns\', and 305 procurers.

The investigation involved about 30,000 businesses with suspicious services. It was found that one-third were actually in violation of the law. They were subject to fines of VND7 billion (USD338,655). As many as 251 had their licenses revoked.

In addition, cases of human trafficking appears to be on the rise. Border guards discovered 67 other cases involving trafficking of women and children.

MoLISA Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the country plans to invest VND629 billion (USD30.43 million) in a prostitution prevention plan for the period of 2011 to 2015. However, the plan was just launched in May, behind schedule, affecting the whole timetable.

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