The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that they were coordinating with the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, border guards, and Cambodian authorities to bring home 67 workers who fled a casino in the country.
60 Vietnamese workers flee a casino in Cambodia on September 17
"We've directed the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia to ensure the workers have sufficiently good living conditions while they wait to return home," the ministry said.
According to the ministry, 60 workers fled a casino in Bavet City in Cambodia on the afternoon of September 17 and attempted to return to Vietnam. They went towards the Bavet Border Gate to find a way to the Moc Bai Border Gate in Vietnam's Tay Ninh Province.
However, four were caught by the casino guards. Cambodian police held 56 others for investigation. By late afternoon the same day, Cambodian police demanded the casino to hand over 11 more Vietnamese citizens, bringing the total number of people involved in the case to 67.
The group is now being protected by Cambodian police.
"We’ve contacted the Cambodian authorities for information, to verify the people’s identities, and carry out procedures to repatriate our citizens," the ministry said.
Vietnamese nationals who need assistance can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia at +855-23726274; the Consulate General in Sihanoukville at +855-34934039 or the Citizen Protection hotline at +84-981 84 84 84.
