Individual Corruption

Global Integrity 2009 reports that citizens often complain that it is common for traffic police to extract bribes (usually between USD 3 and USD 30) from traffic offences in order not to issue tickets. Moreover, Global Integrity report 2009 also states that many Vietnamese generally believe that reasons for many to join the police force are to extract bribes by misusing their power and authority.

According to Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer 2010, the Vietnamese police are considered to be the most corrupt public institution in the country. The same survey also illustrates that a significant number of households surveyed who had contact with the police in 2009 report to have paid a bribe.

Traffic police have been banned from carrying more than VND 100,000 in cash which equates to roughly USD 5, enough for a meal and a coffee, whilst on duty. The article from Deutsche Press-Agentur states that many are sceptical about the new measure, questioning if the police will check the pockets of their officers every day.

Business Corruption

According to the World Bank's Vietnam Development Report 2006, companies rank the traffic police as the most corrupt institution in Vietnam, with many of the respondents stating that corruption is widespread and that bribes/gifts are typically both expected and required. Companies also consider the municipal police as a corrupt institution, but mostly in relation to isolated cases of corruption. On the other hand, business executives surveyed in the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012 indicate that the reliability of the police in Vietnam to protect them from crime constitutes a competitive advantage for the country. This is further supported by the US Department of State 2010, according to which, the police are generally effective at maintaining political stability and public order in Vietnam.

Political Corruption

According to the US Department of State 2010, corruption is a serious problem among the police at all levels, and corrupt police officials sometimes act with impunity. Global Integrity 2009 reports that appointments to the police posts at all levels are not based on professional qualifications, but rather on the loyalty to the regime and that the purchasing of positions is also a common practice. It is also reported that low salaries amongst the police are blamed for contributing to corruption.

A 2008 study by the Finnish Embassy in Hanoi refers to cases where police agencies, including those at a central level, have taken bribes, covered up cases or even protected criminals and their activities, such as smuggling and drug dealing.

Frequency

World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012:
- Business executives give the reliability of Vietnamese police services to enforce law and order a score of 5.2 on a 7-point scale (1 being 'cannot be relied upon at all' and 7 being 'can always be relied upon'), constituting a competitive business advantage.

Transparency International: Global Corruption Barometer 2010:
- 37.5% of households surveyed consider the police to be 'extremely corrupt'.

- 49% of households who had contact with the police in 2009 report to have paid a bribe.

- Citizens give the police a score of 3.8 on a 5-point scale (1 being 'not at all corrupt' and 5 'extremely corrupt').

The World Bank & IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2009:
- Less than 1% of the companies surveyed identify crime, theft and disorder as major constraints to doing business.

- 58% of the companies surveyed pay for security.