>> 2,000 Vietnamese nationals being evacuated from Libya
>> Moves to protect Vietnamese nationals in Libya
The first group of Vietnamese migrant workers to return home from a tumultuous political situation in Libya arrived in Hanoi early Saturday, February 26.
A charter flight from Cairo landed at Noi Bai International Airport, at 4:00 am, carrying 179 Vietnamese nationals. Most of them are workers of Vinaconex Trading & Manpower Export Joint Stock Company (MEC).
Libya is currently home to nearly 10,000 Vietnamese, 5,000 of whom live in the capital city of Tripoli and its outlying areas. 2,000 are in Benghazi city.
Currently, nearly 4,600 Vietnamese workers are being evacuated from Libya, including 1,300 who are being sent to neighboring countries such as Egypt, Turkey and Malta. After returning to the country, each will initially receive VND1 million (USD49) for support.
The prime minister also set up a task force to ensure the safety for Vietnamese nationals in the Middle East and North Africa, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pham Gia Khiem.
Vietnam Airlines has promised to operate two flights on the Hanoi-Cairo-Hanoi route to take Vietnamese labourers, who have been evacuated to Egypt, back home. The first will depart from Noi Bai International Airport on the evening of February 28, and the second will take off March 1, using 324-seat Boeing 777s.
Vietnamese nationals returning from Libya:
The first to return
Reporters ask about the state of Vietnamese workers still there
On the way to MEC
Worried faces
Libya brings turbulent memories
Ready to see family again
Hat is a souvenir from Libya
Waiting on a coach to return home