People perform gong dance at the 9th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival in Dak Lak Province.
According to local authorities, many ethnic minority people from Dak Lak have been misled and lured by bad actors into selling their assets and leaving their homeland to settle illegally in Thailand, hoping for a better life.
However, in reality, they face numerous hardships; living in makeshift rental houses, lacking basic living conditions, performing physically demanding jobs, struggling with language barriers, and having no access to education or healthcare for their children. Some individuals have even violated Thai laws and been dealt with by the Royal Thai Police for illegal residency.
Under the Vietnamese government's leniency policy, Dak Lak authorities have conducted awareness campaigns and facilitated the return of 42 individuals to be reunited with their families since 2020.
Although these returnees had previously violated immigration laws, they were not subjected to administrative or criminal penalties upon their return. Instead, the government and various social organisations provided support, including essential supplies, employment assistance, and economic development programs, to help them reintegrate and rebuild their lives.
"The government and relevant authorities will not discriminate but rather offer support and assistance, ensuring that returnees can reunite with their families, resettle in their villages, and rebuild their economic livelihoods," stated the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee in its official announcement.
