Vietnamese agencies collaborated with Myanmar authorities to safely repatriate 338 Vietnamese citizens, including infants, from conflict zones in northern Myanmar, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Tuesday.

The repatriation was carried out through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, Myanmar authorities, and other relevant partners.

The primary aim was to guarantee the safety and well-being of the Vietnamese communities residing in Myanmar.

The 338 repatriated people, including pregnant women, teenagers, infants, and even newborns, reached Vietnam early on Tuesday morning.

The entire cost of the repatriation was covered by the Vietnamese government, showcasing the state's commitment to a humanitarian policy, as mentioned by the foreign ministry.

The ministry added that a Vietnamese working group had tirelessly collaborated with Myanmar authorities and other relevant parties to ensure the success of the repatriation efforts.

This marks the initial group of repatriates among over 800 Vietnamese nationals who were evacuated from conflict zones to secure locations, as reported by the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar.

The remaining citizens have undergone necessary procedures and are waiting for repatriation in days to come. 

Most of the over 800 Vietnamese had come to Myanmar to work in online gambling establishments in the northern states of the country.  

When armed conflicts erupted in the northern region, encompassing the states of Shan, Kayin, and Rakhine, in late October, these workers were abandoned by their employers and found themselves trapped in the conflict zones between Myanmar's army and ethnic minority fighters.

With the escalation of fighting in the region posing a threat to the safety of Vietnamese nationals, the foreign ministry has affirmed its commitment to continuing coordination with Myanmar authorities and other relevant agencies to repatriate all the remaining evacuated individuals.

The ministry also warned that Vietnamese citizens should be alert to job scams in which swindlers promised them a 'high-paying easy job' in foreign countries, including Myanmar, because of the risk of fraudulent casinos or other illegal establishments. 

The ministry advised that before seeking employment abroad, job seekers should thoroughly understand their prospective employers, including all details related to the job, specific duties, the location of work, salary, insurance, and other associated benefits.

In case of emergency, Vietnamese citizens in Myanmar can contact the citizen protection hotlines at +95 9660888998 for the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar or at +84 981848484 or +84 965411118 for the Foreign Ministry's Consular Department.

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