Vietnam returns 221 citizens arrested in Myanmar for immigration law breaches
Vietnamese Citizens Return Home After Being Detained in Myanmar
HÀ NỘI - In a relief effort, 221 Vietnamese citizens who were apprehended in Myanmar for violating immigration rules made their way back to their homeland on April 28-29, through three flights from Bangkok, Thailand. This repatriation was a joint operation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), coordinating with the Ministry of Public Security, Vietnamese diplomatic missions in Myanmar and Thailand, and relevant domestic, Myanmar, and Thai authorities.
Prior to this, 39 other Vietnamese citizens had been repatriated on April 9.
In a series of public advisories, the MoFA has consistently urged Vietnamese citizens to exercise caution when considering job offers abroad that claim to offer "easy work with high pay," but do not require qualifications, contracts, or formal recruitment channels. They advise individuals to carefully investigate job details, locations, the credentials of recruiters, insurance policies, and benefits, and consult relevant authorities before accepting overseas work to steer clear of undocumented migration.
When faced with such issues or for assistance, Vietnamese citizens or their family members in Myanmar can reach out to the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar at (95 966088 8998) or [email protected], and the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand at (66 8989 666 53) or [email protected]. Alternatively, they can call the foreign ministry's 24/7 hotline at (84 981 84 84 84) or send requests to the email address [email protected].
The context surrounding these repatriations points to involvement with fraudulent job operations, even if not explicitly confirmed. Authorities have frequently warned against overseas job scams, emphasizing the importance of verifying job offers, recruiters, and checking the terms of insurance policies to avoid falling victim to exploitative practices.
Key Details:
Alleged victims of scam centres board a boat to cross the river on the Myanmar-Thai border to be met by Thai Army soldiers as they are repatriated from Kyauk Khet in Myawaddy in Myanmar's Kayin State on Feb 12, 2025. - AFP/VNA Photo
- Repatriation operations: Joint effort between the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, Public Security Ministry, and diplomatic missions in Myanmar/Thailand. Some Vietnamese citizens remain awaiting repatriation[1][4][5].
- Job scam warnings: Steer clear of offers claiming "easy work, high pay" without contracts, qualifications, or formal recruitment channels[2][5]. Verify job details, recruiter credentials, insurance terms, and consult authorities before accepting overseas work[2][4].
- Victim assistance: Myanmar Embassy: +95 966088 8998 / [email protected]. Thailand Embassy: +66 8989 666 53 / [email protected]. 24/7 Hotline: +84 981 84 84 84 / [email protected].
- The joint repatriation of 221 Vietnamese citizens, who were apprehended in Myanmar for violating immigration rules, required the collaboration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, and Vietnamese diplomatic missions in Myanmar and Thailand, as well as relevant authorities.
- The general-news and immigration sectors have been buzzing about the series of repatriations, with many cases potentially involving fraudulent job operations, although this has not been explicitly confirmed.
- In a bid to prevent such issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued public advisories urging Vietnamese citizens to carefully investigate job details, recruiters, and insurance policies before accepting overseas work to steer clear of undocumented migration.
- For assistance or when faced with such issues in Myanmar, Vietnamese citizens or their family members can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar at +95 966088 8998 or [email protected], or the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand at +66 8989 666 53 or [email protected].
- The Foreign Ministry's 24/7 hotline at +84 981 84 84 84 or email address [email protected] is also available for assistance and queries related to Vietnamese citizens repatriation.
