National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines in coordination with Vietnamese competent agencies and those from over 30 nations across Europe, Africa and South America conducted a repatriation flight on December 15-16 to bring home close to 350 Vietnamese citizens left stranded overseas due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Passengers on board the flight were minors under 18, the elderly, people suffering from underlying health issues, guest workers whose labour contracts had expired, students who have completed their courses and have difficulty in accommodation, and other specially difficult cases.

Vietnamese representative offices worked closely with relevant agencies of the host countries to facilitate the citizens’ travel and assist them with necessary procedures prior to their departure.

Vietnam Airlines strictly implemented security, safety and epidemiological measures during the flight to ensure passengers’ health and prevent a possible spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

All crew members and passengers were required to complete health quarantine procedures and were transferred to quarantine facilities according to COVID-19 prevention and control regulations immediately after touching down at Tan Son Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Also on December 16,  nearly 180 Vietnamese citizens in Brunei, mostly workers with expired contracts of Lilama company, were brought home thanks to joint efforts of the Vietnamese Embassy, the Lilama company, Vietjet Air and local authorised agencies.

Vietnamese agencies are arranging similar flights in the near future to bring home more Vietnamese citizens stranded overseas due to the COVID-19 outbreak according to the citizens’ wishes as well as the country’s epidemic situation and quarantine capacity.