Nine Vietnamese fishermen who were arrested by Brunei authorities last month while fishing in the East Sea began their journey from Muara port in Brunei back to Vietnam on Feb. 12, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited information provided by the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei.
 
Earlier, the fishermen were released by Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the request of Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh during his official visit to this country on Feb. 7.

On Jan. 20, the fishing boat BD 96092TS with nine crew members on board was seized by Brunei marine police.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent a letter to thank Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for the humanitarian release./.