Overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia Advised Not to Return Home Illegally

The Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia has recently called upon Vietnamese people in Cambodia to stay calm, seriously comply with disease prevention and control measures of Cambodia, and not return home via illegal channels.

The calling was made in response to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the neighboring country since the “February 20 community incident”.

The Cambodian Government has locked down Phnom Penh capital city and Ta Khmao and Preah Sihanouk cities, applied social distancing rules in many areas, and closed markets, factories and production facilities, due to rapid surge of new COVID-19 cases.

In its message sent to the Vietnamese community in Cambodia, the Vietnamese Embassy advised them to stay calm and seriously comply with disease prevention and control measures of local administrations.

Especially, the embassy advised Vietnamese Cambodians and Vietnamese citizens in Cambodia not to attempt to illegally return to Viet Nam.

So far, border gates and the shared borderline are being tightly controlled by public security and border guard forces of both sides, while strict punishments, including cash fines and imprisonments, are being applied for those who cross the border illegally, the embassy noted.

Earlier, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued an announcement reaffirming that it would not fine expired tourist passport holders and visitors who are stuck in Cambodia due to suspension of all international flights.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh was quoted as saying that once Cambodia removes lockdown and travel restrictions, Vietnamese citizens can easily enter Viet Nam through the land border gates and undertake quarantine in line with the regulations at low costs and no fines.

Those who cross the border illegally will be arrested and strictly punished, and even brought to trial if spreading the virus to the community in Viet Nam, he added.

Vietnamese citizens stuck in Cambodia need to immediately return to Viet Nam during the lockdown period, or seek support, can contact the following addresses for help:

The Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh - Phone number: 855 975116789.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Preah Sihanouk: 855 882248888.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Battambang: 855 979636636.

Earlier, the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, in collaboration with the Cho Ray- Phnom Penh hospital and the Khmer-Vietnam association in Cambodia, on April 24, offered emergency aid to 350 households of the Vietnamese origin in Chbar Ampov district’s Champa pagoda area.

The provision of the aid, consisting of rice, facemasks, and antiseptic solutions, came in the context that many areas in Phnom Penh are facing food shortage due to COVID-19 related lockdown./.