Police in Quang Ninh Province on Wednesday fined seven Chinese nationals VNĐ7 million each (US$300) for crossing the border and entering Viet Nam without following proper immigration procedures, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Beilun River or Ka Long River forms the border between Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southwest China and Quang Ninh Province in northeast Viet Nam.

On August 16, the police found seven Chinese nationals staying in an apartment in Ha Long City’s Green Bay building. However, they could not present any legal immigration and temporary residence documents.

They told officials that they had hired a boat and crossed Ka Long River to enter Viet Nam, and then hired a Vietnamese to drive them by car to the north-eastern province’s Ha Long City.

The driver, Nguyen Trung Hieu, 32, of Ha Long City, was also slapped with a fine for transporting illegal immigrants.

The Chinese nationals were sent back to their country after they paid the fines. 

VNS