Alleged fleeing Vietnamese tourists captured by a CCTV at a hotel before disappearing (Photo: CNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Eleven out of 152 Vietnamese tourists who were suspected of fleeing in Taiwan were detained by the local authorities for investigation, according to the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei.
Based on information and recommendations from Taiwan, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, and National Administration of Tourism have been working with Taiwanese agencies to investigate and address the case.
The foreign ministry has instructed the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei to contact local competent authorities to seek full information about these tourists and visit the detainees.
Earlier, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism affirmed that it has asked relevant agencies to verify the report that 152 Vietnamese tourists fled in Taiwan.
According to initial information, the Ho Chi Minh City-based International Holidays Trading Travel Co. Ltd received this group of tourists from a Taiwanese partner to help them get tourist visas.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said tourism activities and the eased visa policy for tourists in some countries and territories have been abused for the purpose of illegal working. It doesn’t rule out the possibility that some organisations and individuals have taken advantage of this policy to set up rings illegally sending Vietnamese overseas.
Such violations must be strictly punished in line with laws, the ministry said.
Taiwanese authorities said that investigation into the case is underway. In the immediate future, Taiwan plans to stop granting group visas for the Vietnamese company, which arranged itineraries for the missing tourists.-VNA
VNA
