From July 20–23, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh Province, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Program (WCS Viet Nam), in collaboration with the Viet Nam Procuratorate University, Branch in Ho Chi Minh City (VPU-HCMC), organized the course module on “Prosecutorial skills for handling wildlife crime cases”. This was the second thematic course in the “Wildlife Crime Leadership Initiative” (WCLI) – Cohort 3, designed for 20 prosecutors from southern Viet Nam.
Delivering tranining sessions were trainers from the VPU-HCMC, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, and the Institute for applied technology research and human resouce development AIOV; together with technical sharing from leaders of the People's Procuracy of Ha Noi City, the People's Procuracy of Dong Nai City, experts of the SGL Valuation Company Limited and WCS Viet Nam.
Participants practiced species identification, Ho Chi Minh City, July 2026
Building on the overview of wildlife crime provided in course module 1, course module 2 equipped participants with regulations of criminal procedure laws applicable to the handling of wildlife crime cases, as well as specific issues requiring attention during the exercise of prosecutorial authority and supervision of criminal proceedings in such cases. Attending the course, participants were also guided to apply mind maps and some artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can support prosecutors with case analysis, evidence organization, and courtroom advocacy, thereby shortening the time spent on reviewing and handling wildlife cases. The training combined lectures, experience sharing, case analysis, and practical exercises to enable participants to update their knowledge of criminal procedure laws specifically appplied in wildlife crime cases, discuss challenges faced in their local areas, and seek for solutions for effective handling of the wildlife crime cases.
Participants practiced mind mapping, Ho Chi Minh City, July 2026
In addition to classroom content, participants had a practical learning session at Lo Go – Xa Mat National Park in Tay Ninh Province. Participants had the opportunity to learn about biodiversity conservation and wildlife rescue activities, while exchanging experiences with technical officials of the National Park Management Board on wildlife law enforcement and the handling of wildlife exhibits in practice.
This course module was conducted within the framework of the project “Wildlife Crime Leadership Initiative” funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), United States Department of State, and implemented by WCS in Viet Nam.