Being a component of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces alongside the Military and the Militia, PPS is placed under political leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (via the Public Security Central Party Committee - Đảng ủy Công an Trung ương as the political head) and the executive administration of the Ministry of Public Security (Government of Vietnam).

They work to defend the secrecy of the Government of the Republic against external and internal threats, and help to build personal security in every aspect of life, at every area in the country.

The Vietnam People's Police works to prevent, investigate, and solve issues relating to environmental, political, traffic, functional, and corruption-related criminal activities in keeping with the laws of the Socialist Republic.

They also work with the general public in preventing participation in criminal actions, and perform responsibilities and duties pertaining to identification security, public security, transport security, road and highway safety, firefighting, civil defense, disaster preparedness and response, the Mobile Police Command, and many other duties and missions in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

At the grassroots level, finally, there are Public Security Posts of communes, wards and townships which serve as the direct point of contact between police and ordinary citizens.