Over 300 Vietnamese in Myanmar conflict zone repatriated

Vietnamese citizens repatriated from Myanmar at the immigration desk at Nội Bài International Airport, Hà Nội, early Tuesday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — As many as 338 Vietnamese citizens stranded in the conflict zone in the north of Myanmar were safely evacuated on Monday and they arrived at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội early Tuesday morning.

The repatriation, aiming to ensure absolute safety for citizens, was conducted under the Government’s direction by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Ministry of Public Security, relevant agencies of Việt Nam, and partner countries. All repatriation fees were covered by the Government.

As conflicts and complex developments continue in Myanmar, threatening the lives of Vietnamese citizens there, the MoFA is coordinating with domestic agencies, overseas representative agencies of Việt Nam, authorities of Myanmar, and partner countries to bring them home.

More than 800 Vietnamese citizens have been granted travel documents and eligible to be repatriated, according to the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar.

They will be divided into groups for repatriation. Most of the evacuees are young, including those working at scam online gambling establishments in northern states of Myanmar, abandoned by employers, but were rescued by Myanmar authorities last month but stranded there due to conflicts between the host country’s military and local ethnic minorities.

Vietnamese who remain stranded or need help can phone the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar via its citizen protection hotline +959660888998; or the MoFA’s Consular Department via the citizen protection switchboard +84 981 84 84 84, +84 965 41 11 18, or email [email protected].

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again warns Vietnamese citizens to be cautious against offers to work abroad for “easy but high-paying” jobs, with no requirements for degrees or qualifications, no signed contracts, with no representing sending labour organisations, etc. Citizens need to look carefully at what the job entails, the company, expected work location, relatives of the recommender, insurance policy, and benefits before deciding to go abroad. — VNS