Vietnam rejects claims of exit ban on British citizens

The Mirror last week reported that the U.K. Foreign Office had adjusted guidelines for its citizens abroad, saying that “Vietnamese authorities may place an exit ban on certain individuals to prevent them from leaving the country,” and that people’s passports “will be seized until the case is fully investigated”.

“An exit ban can relate to investigations into: an individual, their family or an employer, criminal and civil matters, such as business disputes or motor vehicle accidents, employment without a work visa or unpaid financial debts,” according to the Foreign Office.

Pham Thu Hang, spokeswoman of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press meet Thursday that “We completely oppose this false information.”

Hang affirmed that Vietnam’s consistent stance is to provide favorable opportunities for foreigners to enter and leave Vietnam, contributing to socio-economic development.

“For the past years, Vietnamese authorities have taken numerous actions to facilitate the traveling of foreigners to Vietnam to study, work, invest and explore the market and for tourism purposes, in compliance with Vietnamese regulations and laws.”

An InterNations report issued last year said Vietnam is among the best 15 countries for expats. The report surveyed around 12,000 people from 171 countries and territories.