Trafficking attack: Rock band Simple Plan will perform at a free MTV EXIT concert, along with pop star My Tam, to raise awareness about human trafficking. — File Photo

HA NOI — The launch of a half-hour documentary film revealing real-life stories of human trafficking in Viet Nam and hosted by pop star My Tam was announced on Tuesday.

The film Lam No Le (Enslaved) will premiere on Viet Nam Television and the MTV Viet Nam channel on June 2 as part of the MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign.

The powerful documentary film will give audiences a rare glimpse into human trafficking and exploitation, telling stories of survivors and highlighting what everyone can do to help end this horrific trade.

Two friends Lin and Trong tell their account of being forced to carry out hard manual labour in a brick factory; Khanh shares her story of how she was brought to work on a chicken farm, and Thien, still a young girl, recounts how she was deceived and trafficked as a sex worker.

Tam, the newly appointed MTV EXIT Celebrity Ambassador to Viet Nam and one of the country's leading pop stars, helps connect the audience to these experiences, while demonstrating how Vietnamese can protect themselves and highlighting ways to help the cause.

Tam will also be joining the fight against human trafficking by performing at the MTV EXIT Live, a free concert at Ha Noi's My Dinh Stadium on May 26. The live concert will be headlined by international rock sensation Simple Plan. Joining the line-up are South Korean pop group Brown Eyed Girls and Australian vocal sensation Kate Miller-Heidke, who previously performed at the MTV EXIT concert in Ha Noi in 2010, as well as top local artists Karik, Buc Tuong (The Wall) band, DJ Tri Minh, and Big Toe dance crew.

MTV EXIT's 2010 concert tour in Viet Nam drew 80,000 music fans to four concerts across the country. "We are happy to come back Viet Nam to continue the anti-human trafficking campaign," said Matt Love, director of the MTV EXIT campaign.

"After the success in 2010, now we're eager to gather leading world and local artists to communicate and lure the younger generation in Viet Nam to join the fight against human trafficking," he said.

Free tickets will be available starting tomorrow at BOO Citi, 308 Ba Trieu Street, Ha Noi.

An MTV EXIT exhibition of installation art by Doan Hoang Kien and photos by Na Son will be held beginning on Sunday at Cong Nhan (Workers) Theatre, 42 Trang Tien Street, Ha Noi. Phan Y Ly will perform on stage during the opening ceremony.

The one-week exhibit will also display the winning photos from the MTV EXIT Photo Contest launched early this year.

Established in Europe in 2004 with the aim of promoting human trafficking awareness and prevention, the MTV EXIT campaign has carried out various activities in Asian countries under the auspices of USAID and AUSAID. It has also established relationships with over 100 non-governmental organisations. — VNS