National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on August 10 conducted a flight to bring home more than 340 Vietnamese citizens left stranded in Russia due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past few months Vietnam Airlines has collaborated with relevant agencies to repatriate Vietnamese citizens stranded around the globe. 

Passengers on board the aircraft were minors under 18, the elderly, sick people, workers with expired visas and labour contracts, students without accommodation due to the closure of schools and dormitories, holidaymakers, and others in specially difficult circumstances.

Vietnamese representatives agencies in Russia worked closely with relevant bodies of the host country to support the citizens due to travel restrictions. They also sent officials to assist the citizens in completing necessary procedures at the airport before the departure time.

To ensure the safety of the passengers and crew and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Vietnam Airlines strictly implemented security, safety, and hygiene measures during the flight.

After landing at Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh province, all the passengers and crew members had their health checked and were taken to a concentrated quarantine centre, in line with regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.

Implementing Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s directions, relevant domestic agencies and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad are devising plans to bring Vietnamese citizens home when domestic quarantine capacity permits.