Vietnamese and Cambodian authorities complete procedures to hand over 353 Vietnamese citizens at the Xa Mát International Border Gate in Tân Lập Commune, Tây Ninh Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tân

TÂY NINH — A total of 353 Vietnamese citizens have been repatriated by Cambodian authorities, the Criminal Police Division under the Tây Ninh Provincial Police officially declared on Friday.

The division, in coordination with the Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, the Xa Mát International Border Guard Station and the provincial Border Guard Command, received the 353 Vietnamese citizens returned by Cambodian forces at 10am on August 8 at the Xa Mát International Border Gate in Tân Lập Commune.

Most of these citizens were detained after allegedly residing and working illegally in Cambodia.

Authorities took the Vietnamese citizens to the Tân Lập Primary School in Tân Lập Commune for investigation and identity verification.

They determined that the 353 citizens had permanent residence in 31 provinces and cities. Most of the citizens left Việt Nam with passports, while 14 left the country illegally, the police said.

None of the citizens were wanted or banned from entering or leaving the country, according to authorities.

The citizens confessed that they used social networks to find jobs, then voluntarily left Việt Nam for Cambodia to work in casinos opposite the Xa Mát International Border Gate in the neighbouring country's Tbong Khmum Province.

Their main jobs were security, ticket control, cleaning and cooking.

Authorities completed entry procedures for 253 citizens who have passports, and are clarifying procedures for 86 who had lost their passports.

As for the 14 citizens who crossed the national border without completing exit procedures, the Xa Mát International Border Guard Station decided to impose an administrative fine of VNĐ4 million (US$150) per person, which will be added to the State budget. — VNS