From 22 to 24 September in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, the Ministry of Public Security, in collaboration with UNDP in Viet Nam and with support from Norway and the European Union, organized a Training of Trainers on implementing the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering, known as the Méndez Principles, in Viet Nam.

49 trainers and officers from People's Police academies, universities and research institutes, operational units of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defence, and law training institutions combined legal foundations with hands-on practice: preparing interviews, building rapport, questioning, verifying information, and working with children and persons in vulnerable situations. As trainers, they will now carry this approach into training programmes across units and localities.

“The Méndez Principles emphasize gathering accurate information and grounding interviews in science, legality and respect for human rights,” said Col. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hương, Head of Division, Foreign Relations Department, Ministry of Public Security.

Building on this, Ms. Francesca Nardini, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Viet Nam, highlighted the importance of putting these principles into everyday practice: “Effective interviewing is grounded in trust, interaction, and respect for human rights—not coercion. These principles strengthen both the integrity and quality of investigative work. The true measure of success will be when good practice becomes standard practice.”

For participants, the training offered practical tools to support the shift towards operational excellence. “The programme offered us many practical skills, from how to approach the person being interviewed and planning, to communication and questioning techniques,” shared Senior Lt. Col. Hoàng Duy Hiệp, People's Security Academy.

The training supports the Ministry of Public Security's work, as focal agency, to implement Viet Nam's obligations under the UN Convention against Torture, which Viet Nam ratified in 2015.

UNDP will continue to work alongside the Ministry of Public Security to support investigations that are effective, scientific and ethical, strengthening trust in the justice system.