The Nghe An police discover a passenger coach transporting Chinese nationals to Vietnam illegally. Fifty-three Chinese nationals have been slapped with a combined administrative fine of VND210 million for illegal entry – PHOTO: PLO

HCMC – Fifty-three Chinese nationals have been slapped with a combined administrative fine of VND210 million for illegal entry into Vietnam, the Nghe An police said on April 8.

Of the total, 52 people were fined VND4 million each, while another Chinese national, aged under 18, had to pay a fine of VND2 million, the local media reported.

After undergoing a quarantine period and testing negative for Covid-19, all the 53 Chinese nationals were deported to China, according to the police.

The driver and owner of a passenger coach transporting these Chinese nationals to Vietnam might also face prosecution for organizing illegal entry into Vietnam or arranging accommodation for others to stay in Vietnam illegally.

On March 9, the Tra My passenger coach with plate number 65B-017.81 transporting the 53 Chinese nationals and four Vietnamese persons, including a driver, aged 40, coach owner, aged 27, and conductors, travelled on National Highway 1A in Nghe An Province. When the vehicle arrived in Hoang Mai Town, competent forces stopped it for an inspection.

The people, who intended to enter Vietnam for work, were then sent to concentrated quarantine centers in Hung Nguyen District in the province.

During their quarantine period, four of them escaped from the quarantine center on March 17, but were apprehended later.