Chinese nationals Xiang Yi Ping, 33, and Ma Bing, 25, were jailed for eight and six years respectively, while Vietnamese Chau Vy Anh, 29, was jailed for eight years, Da Nang People’s Court ruled Tuesday.

All three were charged with "brokering illegal entry, exit, or stay in Vietnam," while Anh was also found guilty of "fabricating an organization's seal or documents and use thereof."

Xiang had rented a hotel in Ngu Hanh Son District owned by a 62-year-old man back in September 2019, allowing Chinese to stay there. Anh was hired by Xiang as hotel manager.

At the end of 2019, Ma illegally entered Da Nang and took up the position of hotel driver. In January 2020, Ma was deported back to China, but he returned to Vietnam illegally in June and remained at the hotel.

In July 2020, Da Nang, as the epicenter of a new Covid-19 wave, underwent a social distancing period. As a result, police requested the hotel to suspend opperations, but Xiang handed Ma the hotel keys anyway to continue receiving guests.

Ma then allowed Chinese to board at the hotel, despite many having expired visas. Anh agreed to the arrangement, with Ma handing the money received from the Chinese to Anh. The latter paid Ma VND200,000 ($8.63) per room a day.

To evade authorities, Xiang used WeChat, while allowing Chinese with no proper documentation to stay at the hotel.

On July 27, aware of an imminent police check, Xiang told Ma to drive four Chinese nationals to another location. They came back an hour later.

On July 31, Da Nang police found eight Chinese nationals illegally staying at the hotel, with no visas or passports.

An investigation revealed the eight Chinese were allowed to stay at the hotel from June 2 to July 31, 2020.