The flight was arranged by Vietnamese authorities, the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Australian authorities.

The passengers included children aged under 18, the elderly, pregnant women, workers whose visas or labour contracts expired, students with no residences due to dormitory closures and those in difficult circumstances

The Vietnamese Embassy in Australia sent staff to the airport to assist the citizens with procedures until they boarded the flight.

Vietnam Airlines has strictly implemented in-flight security and disease preventive measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Upon landing at Van Don international airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh, all the flight crew and passengers were given heath checkups and put into compulsory quarantine in accordance with regulations.

In the future, more flights are set to be conducted to repatriate Vietnamese citizens with disadvantaged circumstances, depending on their need and quarantine capacity at home.

VNA

No new COVID-19 cases reported over last 12 hours

Vietnam has no new COVID-19 cases to report over the last 12 hours,