Chief of the Office of the Ministry of Public Security and spokesman, Maj. Gen. Tô An Xô. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Chief of the Office of the Ministry of Public Security and spokesman, Maj. Gen. Tô An Xô said the ministry has tightened control at border gates and international airports to prevent illegal immigration.

He was speaking at the regular Government press conference in Hà Nội on Monday.

Xô said since the beginning of this year, 504 Chinese nationals have been caught illegally entering Việt Nam in 27 out of the 63 localities. Since June, local public security forces and border guards have uncovered 21 cases involving 177 illegal Chinese immigrants, and launched criminal proceedings against 19 Vietnamese and several Chinese in five cases.

He added the illegal entries were mostly made by Chinese nationals and Vietnamese working in neighbouring countries without contracts. Due to natural disasters and the pandemic in China, some entered Việt Nam to seek jobs, many went to visit Việt Nam, while a number of others sought to go to Cambodia to gamble now that the country has reopened its casinos.

Xô said after the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the community, the ministry asked units and localities to seriously follow the Prime Minister’s Directives No.16 and No.19 and guideline documents on pandemic prevention and control, including the inspection of immigration at border gates and international airports, especially in localities with trails and open roads.

The ministry also requested ensuring absolute safety of quarantine areas.

He also suggested issuing suitable policies for illegal Vietnamese immigrants, most of them illegal workers in China. — VNS