Emerging briefly and hesitantly from the shadows of a scraggly forest near the northern French coastline, the Vietnamese people smuggler beckoned our team member away from the others. “Move quickly, this way,” he instructed, gesturing towards a disused railway line. Moments later, the tall figure with bright dyed blonde hair turned away abruptly, disappearing into the woods like a startled fox.
Vietnam has suddenly become the largest source of new migrants attempting to cross the Channel to the UK illegally in small boats. Our investigation, which involved interviews with Vietnamese smugglers, clients, French authorities, and charities, uncovered a trend of Vietnamese migrants paying double the usual rate for a more efficient and faster smuggling experience. As the death toll in the Channel reaches record levels, there are indications that this elite service may also be safer.
In our efforts to infiltrate the Vietnamese smuggling operations, we encountered an experienced smuggler in the UK who was providing forged documents to migrants seeking to reach Europe. Additionally, our undercover reporter arranged to meet a smuggling gang near Dunkirk to understand their process.
The Vietnamese smugglers seem to keep a low profile, operating separately from other groups in the camps around Dunkirk and Calais. They offer a more streamlined service with less waiting time compared to other migrants. While other groups may spend weeks or months in grim conditions on the French coast, Vietnamese migrants seem to arrive when the weather is favorable for a crossing.
The Vietnamese do not control the small boat crossings themselves, but negotiate access and timings with Iraqi Kurdish gangs overseeing the crossings. The extra payment secures priority access for Vietnamese clients, potentially explaining the lack of Vietnamese casualties in Channel crossings.
Two young Vietnamese men in the camps near Dunkirk shared stories of economic struggles in Vietnam that led them to seek new opportunities in the UK. They hoped to work and pay off debts owed to smugglers and loan sharks back home.
The situation raises questions about human trafficking, as these migrants face significant debts and risks in their pursuit of a better life. Despite the dangers and uncertainties, they remain determined to make the journey to the UK.