Sixty-one Vietnamese citizens rescued from casinos in Myanmar

The Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar, in close collaboration with local authorities, has officially verified the successful rescue of 61 Vietnamese citizens from illicit gambling establishments operating in the northern border regions of Myanmar. This revelation was conveyed by Pham Thu Hang, the Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a regular press conference held in Hanoi on October 26.

Over the past few days, the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Department, had been actively receiving information from Myanmar's authorities. This information revealed that nearly 200 foreign nationals, including Vietnamese citizens, had been liberated from deceptive gambling dens operating in Myanmar's northern border areas.

Upon receiving this crucial information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly issued instructions for the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar to work closely with local authorities in order to validate the authenticity of the case. Additionally, they urged the Myanmar government to ensure appropriate accommodations for the Vietnamese citizens and initiate a thorough investigation to establish the backgrounds of those involved.

Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang underscored that the Ministry had directed the embassy and relevant departments to coordinate both internally and with Myanmar's authorities. Their aim is to execute the requisite consular procedures and formulate a comprehensive plan for safeguarding and facilitating the repatriation of Vietnamese citizens as soon as the Myanmar authorities arrive at a conclusive determination regarding the incident.

In the event that family members seek any information concerning their relatives who were rescued in Myanmar, Vietnamese citizens are encouraged to make contact through the Consular Department's citizen protection hotline, which can be reached at +84 981 84 84 84 or +84 965 41 11 18. Alternatively, the citizen protection hotline of the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar is available at +95 9660888998.

This incident highlights the proactive measures taken by the Vietnamese government to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad, as well as the collaboration between different agencies and diplomatic missions in addressing complex and sensitive situations.