Thi Hoàng
Taking the initiative against global transnational crime
Raising awareness of human trafficking across the globe
Human trafficking involves the trading of people - specifically women and children - in violation of the victim’s rights, for purposes such as labour work in sweatshops, sexual exploitation and forced marriage. Ethnic tribes in Vietnam have been a significant target for these perpetrators - the H’mong tribe being the most vulnerable, with 1.4% of their total population being trafficked.
Ethnic minority status, high poverty rates and lack of access to social services are all causes of the vulnerability of these ethnic groups. The H’mong tribe stands to have the highest poverty rate amongst all tribes in Vietnam, with female illiteracy, child marriage and inability to access healthcare being the main indicators for this poverty. Analyst Thi Hoàng, who has been working on the topics of human trafficking and transnational organised crime at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, as well as a Regional Advisor for PacifiLinks Foundations along with TextileSeekers, seeks to raise awareness of this crucial issue.
Q1. Tell us a little about yourself: What is your background and what inspires you to create?
I was born in Saigon, Vietnam and since then have studied and worked in five countries - Vietnam, New Zealand, Poland, China and recently Austria. I am an analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) and the managing editor of the Journal of Illicit Economies and Development (JIED). I specialise in the fight against human trafficking with a specific focus on the role of technology in human trafficking and on the vulnerability of migrant workers, particularly from Asia to Europe. I coordinate the Responsible and Ethical Business Coalition against Trafficking (RESPECT) Initiative, the Modern Slavery Map, and am the research lead at the Tech Against Trafficking initiative. In addition, I organise and manage the International Association for the Study of Organised Crime (IASOC), the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP)’s membership, and the Drugs & Development Hub (DDH) initiative. Furthermore, I am a regional advisor of PacificLinks Foundation, supporting their capacity-building workshops for European responders on the smuggling and trafficking of Asian (especially Vietnamese) migrants in Europe.
Having lived and worked in five different countries, as well as speaking multiple languages, I am exposed to their various realities, different local customs, cultures, beliefs, ideologies, and perspectives - even the languages we speak define and or shape our worldview and ways of thinking and reasoning. These differences fascinate me. At the same time, even though we are all different in terms of our own realities and what we have been exposed and accustomed to, we all are similar in terms of being part of a species known as homo sapiens, and living on this finite Earth. I am motivated to encourage others to observe life through multiple lenses, as well as to look at an issue / object through multiple perspectives.
Q2. What kind of traveller are you?
I am a traveller who enjoys a slower paced itinerary where I can enjoy the local culture and customs, interact with the people and respectfully move with the environment in mind, instead of quick city trips that involve visiting every tourist attraction to tick them off a list. Due to my line of work, I often travel for conferences, which requires a faster pace of travelling and getting from point A to point B, and oftentimes missing out on what the city has to offer. This is not ideal for my contribution to the carbon footprint of global tourism; however, when I do travel for leisure, I try my best to be conscious and mindful in every aspect of the journey and focus on learning more about the local history, culture, and ways of life.
Q3. Have you ever travelled solo? What tips would you give to a first-time solo traveller?
Yes, I have travelled solo quite often. I enjoy the freedom of choosing my own destinations and places to experience. My recommendation for first time solo travellers is to be well-prepared, especially with some general knowledge of the country's culture and customs. Recording or memorising important numbers (of your family members and spouses) and details of your travel itinerary, and more importantly, sharing details with family / friends before you travel is crucial. From my own experience whilst travelling in Vietnam as a single woman, my tip is to not stay out too late, as the chances of getting robbed are high. Practice caution and be aware of your surroundings!
Q4. Where have you travelled to this past year? / Which travel destination has left you with the most memorable experience?
All places have left a lasting memorable experience, but to choose only one, it would be New Zealand as the people are very laid-back, and the community embraced me for the duration of time I lived in Wellington. In contrast, after New Zealand, my time in China was overwhelming due to the traffic and noise and the constant stimulation of the city, but the neighbouring people were very accepting and welcoming.
Q5. The emphasis on working with women sends such a positive message. Who are the female figures whom you admire?
I don’t have a specific female figure whom I idolise. However, I do admire women who are in the service industries, such as teachers, street cleaners, and those who are not well recognised in our society but who contribute the most. We saw this during the pandemic crisis, where health care staff were severely underpaid - without their contribution we would not be able to cope with the global pandemic.
Q6. How is slow travel different from the usual way of travelling?
Slow travel should be considered the ‘new norm’ of travelling; people tend to travel and not be conscious of how they are impacting the countries they visit, as well as from a global perspective, the impact they make both environmentally and socially.
Q7. As an entrepreneur, how do you focus on wellness in your life?
Currently, I am working on my work / life balance, as my work life has taken up a large component of my attention this year. It is important to focus on my own personal mental health, as my work touches on many difficult and sensitive topics. This has led me to seek professional support to cope with secondary trauma, also known as vicarious traumatization.
Q8. Who do you think should come on this trip? And what would one hope to take away from this tour with TextileSeekers?
Travellers who enjoy slow travelling and those who are like-minded and comfortable in one another's presence. Travelling is a means to understand a new reality of local lifestyle and the many different perspectives of the people and places we visit.
Q9. Do you have one or two all-time favourite fashion pieces? Do you have a favourite designer/artist?
I am very simple and classic in my clothing choices. Buying items that are versatile, functional and easy to mix and match allows me more time to focus on other tasks and less on my appearance, which is important in my work life. I appreciate brands that implement upcycling and recycling initiatives, avoiding a fast fashion consumerism mentality. The very nature of fast fashion requires continuous manufacturing of inexpensive clothing with low quality, and thus encourages consumers to buy and discard more regularly. This impacts and leads to lower labour costs, cost-cutting and exploiting locals in sweatshops, which facilitates human trafficking and labour exploitation.
Q10. What are you reading now?
Unfortunately, I have recently not had time to read for pleasure. Most of the time I read work-related journal articles, reports and books on organised crime and human trafficking. In particular, I have recently researched and written on the topic of human trafficking in conflict contexts, with Afghanistan and Ukraine as specific case studies. Political and social issues that arise from war affect humans at a decrement level - displacing many people and families from their homes, leading them to become more vulnerable to human trafficking.
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