Approximately 350 Vietnamese citizens stranded in over 20 countries across Europe and Africa due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic safely arrived home on August 27 on a Vietnam Airlines flight.

Vietnamese citizens  from over 20 countries across Europe and Africa arrive at the airport to return home 

The repatriation flight conducted by the national flag carrier was arranged by the nation’s various representative offices based in Europe and Africa, along with relevant agencies from the host countries.

The majority of passengers onboard the flight were minors under 18, the elderly, pregnant women, students without accommodation due to the closure of their dormitories, holidaymakers, guest workers with expired labour contracts, and others facing challenging circumstances.

To ensure all passengers could board the flight, Vietnamese representative offices coordinated with relevant agencies of the host countries to facilitate the movement of as many citizens as possible to Frankfurt airport in Germany. The Consulate General of Vietnam in Frankfurt dispatched officials to the airport to assist all citizens with necessary procedures ahead of their departure.

In an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, a range of disease prevention measures were taken throughout the journey. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, all members of the flight crew and passengers received heath checkups and were immediately placed into quarantine in line with regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.

Vietnamese authorities and overseas missions are poised to arrange additional repatriation flights aimed at bringing Vietnamese citizens home. The schedule of future flights is likely to depend on both demand and the local quarantine capacity.