The first 31 Vietnamese citizens have departed for home.

On August 10th, the first group of 31 Vietnamese citizens, out of nearly 600 Vietnamese who had been detained in the Russian Federation since July 31st, departed for home.

A tented area in the eastern district of Moscow. (Source: RIA Novosti)

Following continuous efforts by the Embassy in coordination with the Russian side, on August 10th, the first group of 31 Vietnamese citizens departed for home. The Russian side stated that in the coming days, both sides will complete the procedures for the remaining Vietnamese citizens who are currently being detained to be repatriated soon.

Previously, starting on July 31st, Russian police conducted a crackdown on illegal immigrants, detaining more than 1,000 foreigners in garment factories at a market in eastern Moscow. Notably, among them were nearly 600 Vietnamese nationals, whom Russian authorities later detained in a tent camp in an eastern district of Moscow.

Immediately after the incident occurred, under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and domestic agencies, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Russian Federation worked and coordinated with local authorities to provide assistance with living expenses, verify identities, and complete legal procedures so that Vietnamese citizens could return home as soon as possible.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the Russian Federation dispatched a working group, including consular officers and representatives from the community affairs committee, to the area and established a permanent working group at the temporary shelters to encourage and coordinate the resolution of any arising issues on the spot.

On August 7th, the Vietnamese Embassy directly met and worked with leaders of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Moscow authorities, the Director of the Moscow Department of Internal Affairs, and the Director of the Moscow Immigration Department on issues related to Vietnamese citizens currently being detained.

Over the past few days, Vietnamese community organizations in the Russian Federation have shown concern and support for Vietnamese citizens who have been detained. The community has organized volunteer interpreters, provided clothing, raised funds to share with those returning home, and given each person $50 in cash to facilitate their safe return to their homeland.

According to VNA - LT