Five Vietnamese residents who fell victim to human trafficking in Laos have been rescued and assisted to return to their home country.

The victims, including three men and two women, were initially told to work in Thailand, but in fact they were deceived and forced into hard labour in Laos.

There they were tasked with setting up virtual accounts to appropriate property. Every day they were asked to work 13 to 18 hours, and if they did not meet the quota, they would be abused and not paid.

The victims were required to pay a ransom of between VND150 - 200 million if they wished to return to their homeland.

The Drug and Crime Prevention and Control Authority under the Border Guard Command and the Green Dragon Children's Organization (Hanoi) - a non-governmental organization helping rescue human trafficking victims - in collaboration with the Ha Tinh provincial Border Guard successfully rescued the five victims.

 The victims were all transported to Cau Treo International Border Gate in Ha Tinh province, central Vietnam, on May 2.

The Drug and Crime Prevention and Control Authority and the Ha Tinh provincial Border Guard Command provided the victims with initial essential assistance. The victims were then handed over to the Green Dragon Children's Organization, to help them reunite with their families and reintegrate well into the community.

Japan confers Order of Rising Sun on former Party official

The government of Japan has decided to present Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun to Hoang Binh Quan, former head of the Party Central Committee’s External Relations Commission.

The honour is in recognition of the Vietnamese official’s great contributions to strengthening the long-standing friendship and close bond between Japan and Vietnam in recent times, the government said in its decision released on April 29.

Quan is among foreign figures who were awarded the Order of the Rising Sun in Spring 2024.

Born on June 16, 1959, Quan were elected to the Party Central Committee (tenures IX, X, XI, XII) and the National Assembly (tenures IX, XI, XIII).

Between July 2009 and March 2021, he was appointed head of the External Relations Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Bac Giang to host national youth chess championship

The national youth chess championship will be held in Bac Giang from May 24 to June 5, with the northern province freshly issuing a plan on the organisation of the event.

Managed by the Vietnam Chess Federation, the tournament will see male and female athletes of different age groups competing in the four disciplines of standard chess, traditional chess, rapid chess, and blitz chess.

According to the plan, the provincial sports stadium in Bac Giang city is selected as the venue.

The provincial People’s Committee has assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with the federation, the local sports and physical training agency and relevant units to host the championship. The provincial police are set to ensure the security and safety of the competition venue and accommodation for the athletes throughout the event.

The authorities of Bac Giang city, meanwhile, are tasked with decorating several thoroughfares near the venue and setting up a security task force stationed at the stadium.

Vietnam will face more intense heat waves in May

According to Nguyen Duc Hoa, Deputy Head of the Climate Forecasting Division under the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, Vietnam is set to struggle with more intense hot spells in May.

Hoa said northern localities and those from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen provinces have experienced three severe hot fronts so far this year.

Some areas in the central regions, such as Dong Ha Town in Quang Tri and Tuong Duong District in Nghe An, were scorched with temperatures of up to 44 degrees centigrade, particularly from April 26 to 30. This was just 0.2 degrees centigrade lower than the record high of 44.2 degrees centigrade measured in Tuong Duong on May 7 last year.

This April's average temperature in the central regions was 2-4 degrees centigrade higher than many previous years.

Hoa added that the average temperature nationwide would be 1.5-2.5 degrees centigrade higher in May than many previous years.

The total rainfall in the northeastern region in May would be 5-20 percent higher than usual. However, the rainfall would be 5-15 percent lower in the northwest.

The scorching hot weather will continue to wreak havoc in the Central Highlands and southern localities in May, with the first 20 days being the most intense. In the last 10 days of the month, these two regions will face more rain and strong winds, adding to the weather-related challenges.

Over 320 hospitalised with food poisoning in Dong Nai

At least 328 people have faced food poisoning symptoms after eating banh mi sandwiches at a bakery in the southern province of Dong Nai.

Most of the victims are receiving treatment at two local hospitals while nine serious cases have been transferred to better hospitals, director of the Dong Nai Health Department Le Quang Trung said on Thursday afternoon.

According to a report from the committee, all the victims had banh mi sandwiches at the Bang Bakery in Xuan Binh Ward between 3-7 pm on April 30. After that, they started to develop high fevers, stomach aches, diarrhoea, and vomiting and had to be hospitalised.

Doctors at the Long Khanh General Hospital said that all the victims had gastroenteritis and many were recovering after treatment.

The bakery said it sold over 1,100 banh mi sandwiches on April 30 and has been suspended for investigation since May 1.

Last year, nearly 300 people had food poisoning after eating banh mi sandwiches at the well-known Madam Phuong Bakery shop in Hoi An Province.

The Vietnamese banh mi baguette, filled with cold meats, pâté, and vegetables, is a popular snack in Vietnam.

2024 VinFuture Prize records 1,469 nominations

The 4th edition of VinFuture Prize, an annual international award that honours remarkable scientific breakthroughs and promotes innovations for humankind, has officially closed its nomination portal with a record of 1,469 submissions.

The nominations cover a diverse range of critical fields, including health care (36.3%), sustainable energy (24.6%), environment and climate change (15.2%), artificial intelligence (AI) applications across multiple industries (13.8%), and agriculture (10.1%).

The number of international scientists becoming official nomination partners this year amounted to 9,101, up more than 70% and nearly 8-fold compared to the previous and inaugural seasons, respectively. Most of the partner scientists come from the Americas (31.4%), followed by Europe (28.3%), Asia (26.0%), Africa (7.3%), and Oceania (7%).

Notably, 14.8% of the nominating partners are among the top 2% of the most cited researchers globally.

The preliminary round of the prize is scheduled to run from June 1 to August 31.

The award is the core activity of the VinFuture Foundation, a non-profit organisation co-founded by Vietnam’s billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong and his spouse Pham Thu Huong. Its third edition, themed "Boundless Unity", received 1,389 nominations, tripling that of the first one.

Tan Son Nhat airport sees passenger dip during just-ended holiday

Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat international airport experienced an overall decrease in both flights and passengers during the recent holiday period.

Compared to the previous year, traffic at the airport dropped by approximately 8%.

Over the peak period from April 26 to May 1, the airport handled 3,961 flights, averaging 660 per day. April 26 was the highest day with 694 flights.

Passenger volume also saw a decline, with a total of 652,831 passengers served during the holiday. This translated to a daily average of 108,805 passengers.

However, the data revealed a contrasting trend for international travel. The number of international flights arriving at and departing from Tan Son Nhat airport actually increased by 5.87% year-on-year, averaging 264 per day.

Additionally, passenger traffic on international routes saw an even more significant rise of 11.06%. On average, 44,176 passengers travelled internationally each day./.

Vietnamese, Cambodian navies convene 33rd experience sharing conference

The 33rd experience-sharing conference on joint patrol activities between Vietnam's Naval Region 5 and Cambodia's Ream Naval Base took place in the port city of Sihanoukville, the southwestern province of Preah Sihanouk of Cambodia on May 2.

The conference, co-chaired by Rear Admiral Nguyen Huu Thoan, Political Commissar of the Naval Region 5 Command, and Rear Admiral Mey Dina, Commander of the Ream Naval Base, focused on successes achieved during the 73rd  and 74th joint patrols in the historical waters between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Both sides commended the effectiveness of their coordinated patrols in maintaining security and order within the patrolled areas. They highlighted successful joint training exercises that included maneuvering formations, search and rescue operations, and communications via flag signals, semaphore, and light signals as outlined by international signal law.

During the patrol process, the two countries' naval vessels regularly exchanged information on the maritime situation and related issues. They also conducted close observation and control of activities in the historical waters, thereby contributing to maintaining security and order, facilitating economic development of the two countries' coastal communities.

Looking ahead, the two sides pledged to raise awareness among both nations' fishermen of complying with maritime laws and regulations when exploiting marine resources, not infringing in foreign waters. They will proactively collaborate with relevant maritime management authorities in both nations to prevent and combat transnational crimes such as terrorism, smuggling, illegal transport of goods, weapons, explosives, drugs, humans, tax evasion, and illegal entry and exit. 

They agreed to maintain open communication channels to ensure prompt and harmonious coordination in handling maritime incidents in the spirit of cooperation and respect for international law, independence and sovereignty. This contributes to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, and strengthening solidarity, friendship, understanding and mutual trust between the two navies.

While in Cambodia, the Vietnamese delegation paid floral tribute and offered incense at the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument, expressing their gratitude to the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who sacrificed their lives to help the Cambodian people in their struggle against the Pol Pot regime./.

HCM City delegation visits Truong Sa island district, DK1 platform

A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City led by Deputy Commander of the Vietnam People's Navy Rear Admiral Pham Nhu Xuan and Vice Secretary of the city’s Party Committee Nguyen Phuoc Loc visited soldiers and people in Truong Sa island district and DK 1 platform in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa from April 26 to May 2.

The delegation visited the islands of Sinh Ton (Sin Cowe), Co Lin (Collins Reef), Nui Le (Cornwallis South Reef), Toc Tan (Alison Reef), Da Tay (West London Reef), Truong Sa (Spratly), and DK1/17 platform; and attended a ceremony to celebrate the 49th anniversary of the liberation of Truong Sa (April 29, 1975 - April 29, 2024). 

It also visited cultural works and places where soldiers stay, study and work; and held a memorial ceremony to pay tribute to war martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the national sovereignty over sea and islands.

On this occasion, the delegation gave soldiers and people there greenhouses, solar lights, computers, water pumps and purifiers, and others worth a total of about 42 billion VND (1.65 million USD).

Since 2007, Ho Chi Minh City has organsised 15 delegations consisting of more than 1,500 people to visit the Truong Sa island district and DK1 Platform.

About 450 billion VND from the city's "For Homeland Seas and Islands - For the Frontline of the Fatherland" fund has been used to support soldiers and people in islands and border areas./.

Quang Ninh welcomes over 1 million visitors in recent 5-day holiday

The number of visitors to the northeastern province of Quang Ninh during the recent 5-day holiday saw a year-on-year increase of 48%, topping 1 million.

Of the total, about 429,000 stayed overnight. The province earned about 2.21 trillion VND (87 million USD) from tourists during the period. 

According to the province’s Tourism Department, it attracted 92,768 international visitors during the period, most of them from China, the Republic of Korea, India, France, and Australia.

Ha Long Bay continued to be a popular tourist attraction to visitors to the province as the UNESCO-recognised world natural heritage received over 84,700 visitors including 26,526 foreigners. 

Meanwhile, the province's Mong Cai city received 168,000 visitors with about 50,000 staying overnight there. 

More than 101,500 people entered and exited through the Mong Cai international border gate on this occasion. The number of visitors to many destinations in the city increased 2-3 folds compared to the same period in 2023.

Quang Ninh has set a target to attract over 17 million visitors including 3 million international ones this year./.

Traffic accidents leave 138 deaths in five-day holidays

The freshly ended five-day holidays saw 347 traffic accidents nationwide, causing 138 deaths and 285 injuries.

The figures were down 9.16%, 32.35%, and 1.38% compared to the similar holidays last year, respectively.

During the holidays from April 27 to May 1, more than 19,600 traffic inspections were organised nationwide, detecting and handling 78,254 violations, including 21,369 drink-driving cases and 21,088 speeding cases. As a result, violators were fined 171 billion VND (7.1 million USD) in total, with more than 30,600 vehicles temporarily seized and 15,327 driving licences revoked.

Localities with the highest numbers of violations included Ho Chi Minh City, the southern provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong, the capital city of Hanoi, the northern provinces of Bac Giang and Quang Ninh, Hai Phong city, and the central province of Nghe An.

In general, the overall situation of traffic order and safety was ensured. The traffic volume soared on the first and last days of the holidays as people returned to their hometowns or travelling, leading to congestion at various gateways./.

Overseas Vietnamese visit Trường Sa, DKI platform

Nearly 70 Vietnamese expatriates from 22 countries recently returned to their homeland and visited the Trường Sa (Spratly) and DKI platform, as part of a trip co-organised by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the High Command of the Việt Nam People's Navy.

From April 24 to 30, they went to the islands of Sinh Tồn Đông, Len Đao, Đá Đông, and Đá Tây, the Trường Sa township, and the DKI/14 Phúc Tần platform, where they met residents, officers and soldiers; attended musical exchanges; and visited local schools, pagodas, and households.

They also joined a commemoration for fallen soldiers who fell down defending the country’s sea and islands and a meeting and parade marking the 49th liberation anniversary of Trường Sa, and visited memorial areas dedicated to late President Hồ Chí Minh and martyrs, offering incense and flowers.

The delegation brought to Trường Sa close to VNĐ1.6 billion (about US$66,666) worth of donations and necessities.

Joining such a trip for the second time, Cao Hồng Vinh, a member of the Liaison Board for Vietnamese in Europe "For the sea and islands of Việt Nam", expressed her delight at positive changes in the places, which she attributed to significant efforts of the Party, State, army, and people.

According to Nguyễn Mạnh Đông, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, the organisation of visits by those delegations to Trường Sa and the platform have enabled them to witness achievements of the Party and State in protecting the national territorial sovereignty over its sea and island. The trips affirm the Party and State’s consistent policy of taking the overseas Vietnamese as an integral part of the country.

Data from the committee shows that since 2012, 11 vessels have brought nearly 600 Vietnamese from more than 40 nations and territories worldwide to the Trường Sa and DKI. They have donated approximately VNĐ30 billion for the area, established related forums, clubs, and funds in many countries; and organised myriad symposiums and exhibitions to disseminate information on Việt Nam’s sea and island sovereignty to their communities and international friends. 

High school students begin registering for graduation exam

The Ministry of Education and Training on May 2 kick-started a portal for high school students to register for this year’s graduation exam due to take place in late June.

The http://thisinh.thitotnghiepthpt.edu.vn portal is available for registration from May 2 to May 10.

During a one-week test run in April, the portal operated smoothly, with nearly 650,000 candidates logging on and applying for registration successfully.

Candidates are scheduled to sit graduation exams on June 27-28.

They will do four tests, including three compulsory tests (mathematics, literature and a foreign language). They will also sit an optional combined test in either natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology) or social sciences (history, geography, and civic education).  

The results of the graduation exam will be made public on July 17.

As from 2025, candidates will sit two compulsory tests (mathematics and literature), and two optional tests (a foreign language, history, geography, physics, chemistry, biology, economics and legal education, informatics, and technology).

The new exam model introduced by the Ministry of Education and Training is expected to help reduce pressure and costs on society, and ensure equal access to all subjects.

The high school graduation exam is considered the most important event in a student’s life time after they complete 12 years in school. Its results will be used for admission to universities/colleges, which many view as the only way to find professional careers.

Table tennis players to hunt Olympic slots against regional rivals

Việt Nam's table tennis quartet will seek their Olympic places at the Southeast Asia Regional Qualification from May 8-10 in Bangkok, Thailand.

They are Nguyễn Anh Tú and Đinh Anh Hoàng in the men's singles and Mai Hoàng Mỹ Trang and Nguyễn Khoa Diệu Khánh in the women's singles.

Trang is defending champion of the national championship and National Sports Games, and Khánh is the reigning champion of the National Top Stars Table Tennis Tournament.

Tú is the 32nd SEA Games silver medallist and the national champion and Hoàng is the second-place finisher of the national championship and the top star tournament. He is also the 32nd SEA Games champion in the mixed doubles event.

In addition to two Vietnamese players, the male competitions feature 10 athletes from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.

In the women's pool, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines are represented along with Việt Nam.

This is the only qualification that Vietnamese players are to take part in to seek their places for Paris. However, their task is tough as only winners will qualify.

Việt Nam Table Tennis Federation (VTTF) General Secretary Phan Anh Tuấn said it would be difficult to qualify as Singapore will send their SEA Games defending champions Izaac Quek (male) and Zeng Jian (female) to Thailand.

He said the duo and many other players of Singapore took part in many international tournaments consecutively and have confidence at the Southeast Asian level.

Head coach Đoàn Kiến Quốc, a two-time Olympian, also said that although Vietnamese players had their opportunity they must be cautious and consider each match in the Bangkok tournament a final. And they also needed a little luck to qualify, he added.

“It will be the first time that I will compete in an Olympic qualification," said Tú who just ended a one-month intensive training in China.

"I have trained hard to prepare for this competition. In Bangkok, I will try to show my best ability against powerful rivals of the region."

VTTF has announced a big bonus of VNĐ100 million for each Olympic spot earned in Thailand.

VTTF President Nguyễn Xuân Vũ said that this bonus was to strongly encourage players, to do their best for a Olympic place, making Việt Nam appear again in the global sporting festival.

A total of 172 athletes, 70 in singles events, will participate in the table tennis competition at the Paris 2024.

The table tennis competition will take place from July 27 to August 10, with the first final held on July 30 at the South Paris Arena, an exhibition and convention centre that will be a major hub at the Paris 2024 Games.

Track-and-field team to test skills at Hong Kong championships

Vietnamese athletes will compete in the Hong Kong Athletics Championships, their first international of the year, from May 4-6.

The team gathers SEA Games' multi-time champion Nguyễn Thị Oanh, former SEA Games 100m hurdles winner Bùi Thị Nguyên, national long jump champion Hoàng Thanh Giang and SEA Games bronze medallist Bùi Thị Loan who will compete in the long jump and triple jump.

Among them, Oanh has the most medal potential as her results in the women's 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase are close to Asia's top three.

"The tournament will help me to improve my ability ahead of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in November," said Oanh.

Oanh and teammates arrive in Hong Kong on May 2 and they will have two days to practise ahead of their competitions at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. 

Boxers in intensive training for Olympic qualifier

The national women's boxing team are in their last days of an intensive training camp in Kazakhstan to prepare for their second Olympic qualification round which will be held later this month in Thailand.

The two-week training programme is from April 20 to May 3 in Astana where athletes will not only train hard but also compete with tough, local boxers.

Võ Thị Kim Ánh, who secured her Olympic slot in March, will use the camp to sharpen her skills. Her teammates, Nguyễn Thị Tâm, Hà Thị Linh and Lưu Diễm Quỳnh want to improve their quality to follow her to Paris this summer.

Tâm, world championship silver medal holder, hopes to compete for a second time in the Olympics in the women's 51kg class.

Quỳnh won her Asian Games bronze medal last September in China in the women's 75kg class while Linh is the SEA Games defending champion.

After Kazakhstan, the team will travel to Thailand for another camp from May 10-22 before taking part in the Olympic qualifier on May 22 to June 2.

Jujitsu fighters to compete for Asian medals in UAE

The national jujitsu team has set its sights on the highest possible results at the Asian championships which will be held from May 2-9 in the UAE.

In addition to the bouts for senior competitors, young fighters will also have chance to shine in the junior tournament at the same venue.

“We will present the best athletes with a purpose of winning medals here," said coach Trần Văn Thạch.

"Currently we have fighters with good quality and mind of tactics. They have the potential to vie for top positions in regional and continental tournaments. However, many countries have also strongly invested in jujitsu and become competitive rivals.

"In the championships, Vietnamese athletes will not only compete for medals but also learn and gain experience."

Đào Hồng Sơn and Phùng Thị Huệ are two key members of the team. Sơn is two-time SEA Games 56kg champion while Huệ is defending champion in the women's 45kg.

Last year, Việt Nam won five gold, two silver and 17 bronze medals to place fourth in the tally. 

PM asks for effective preventive solutions against forest fires

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued an official dispatch, requesting ministries, sectors, and localities to continue vigorously and effectively implementing fire prevention and control measures nationwide amid hot weather across the country.

Accordingly, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities were asked to direct the People's Committees at all levels and relevant agencies to strictly fulfill their responsibilities for forest fire prevention and control management; and enhance inspection and supervision activities for forest fire prevention and control early, from afar, and from the grassroots level, considering this as a key and continuous task.

The document underlined the importance of strengthening communications and education activities to raise public awareness and responsibility regarding forest fire prevention and control; intensifying inspections and closely controlling the use of fire in and around forests by people, especially activities such as slash-and-burn cultivation; and strictly addressing any fire-related behaviours that pose a risk of forest fires.

Attention must be paid to proactively and urgently reviewing forest fire prevention and control plans in localities; and allocating forces, vehicles, materials, and funds to serve forest fire prevention and control efforts, it said.

It emphasised the need to enhance coordination among various forces involved in the work, and training activities and exercises on forest fire prevention and control for personnel engaged in these tasks; outline plans and arrangements for relocating residents, assets of the State, and businesses out of areas affected by forest fires when they occur; and effectively implement the project to improve forest rangers’ capacity in management, protection, and firefighting in 2021-2030.

The document underlined the responsibility of the heads to proactively direct relevant agencies to investigate and clarify causes, and strictly handle individuals who intentionally violate forest fire prevention and control regulations, and those in leadership positions when a forest fire occurs; and timely commend organisations and individuals actively involved in forest fire prevention and control efforts.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was demanded to proactively direct the forecasting, warning, and organisation of forest fire prevention and control nationwide, focusing on closely monitoring weather conditions and promptly providing information for localities to enable them to proactively implement forest fire prevention and control plans.

The Ministers of National Defence, and Public Security will be responsible for directing units to review and maximise support for forest fire fighting efforts in areas where they are stationed and mobilise forces and resources for firefighting activities.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment will instruct relevant agencies to improve the quality of forecasting and warning work, and promptly provide information on weather and extreme weather phenomena.

The Ministry of Information and Communications, Radio Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam Television, Vietnam News Agency, and other media agencies were urged to continue effectively disseminating information about forest protection and forest fire prevention and control. 

Vietnam, Nepal look towards stronger investment, trade ties

Vietnamese Ambassador to India, Nepal and Bhutan Nguyen Thanh Hai attended the 3rd Nepal Investment Summit on April 28-29 at the invitation of Nepali Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun.

As part of his working trip, the ambassador paid courtesy visits to Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

Hai suggested the two sides work on measures to foster their fine traditional relationship, saying Vietnam and Nepal should boost trade, tourism and investment ties, and step up coordination at regional and international forums.

Yadav and Shrestha highly valued Vietnam’s Doi Moi (Reform), its experience in socialist-oriented market economy development and socio-economic achievements.

Yadav expressed his hope that the ambassador will help Vietnamese enterprises invest in Nepal, particularly in hydropower, renewable energy, tourism and agriculture. He suggested Vietnam soon launch direct flights to Nepal, contributing to strengthening the trade, investment and tourist ties.

The Vice President also commended the role of the Vietnam-Nepal Friendship Association and the Vietnam-Nepal Friendship Parliamentarians Group in promoting people-to-people diplomacy, parliamentary diplomacy and the friendship between the two countries.

Shrestha affirmed that the Nepali Government welcomes Vietnamese investors, and agreed to push ahead with the implementation of the political consultation mechanism between the two countries and all-level delegation exchanges.

The official said he hopes that the two sides will soon sign a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), noting Nepal will closely coordinate with Vietnam in preparing for the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025.

On this occasion, Hai had a working session with the Nepal-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VNCCI), during which he called on Nepali businesses to come and study the Vietnamese market and participate in fairs there.

He also met with Lumbini province’s Chief Minister Jokh Bahadur Mahara, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Nepal.

Vietnamese nationals arrested in UK after joint operation

Four Vietnamese nationals have been arrested as part of a major joint UK-French investigation into alleged small boats people smugglers advertising crossings on Facebook.

Britain’s National Crime Agency said a woman aged 23 and three men aged 64, 34 and 25 were taken into custody last week after they were picked up at addresses in London, Croydon and Leicester.

Three were arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration and appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on April 23.

The 25-year-old man is wanted by the French authorities, who allege he was involved in people smuggling and drug offences. He will now face extradition proceedings.

Following the arrests, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly said a new agreement has been signed with Vietnamese authorities to crack down on illegal migration.

Investigators allege the group were involved in advertising illegal immigration into the UK in social media posts aimed at the Vietnamese community, charging migrants thousands of pounds to make the crossing.

The 64-year-old is believed to have acted as a driver, collecting migrants who arrived on small boats and on at least one occasion bringing them back to the Croydon address.

At the same time in France, another 12 individuals have been arrested in the Paris area, suspected of being linked to the same people smuggling network.

UK Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “We are using every possible lever at our disposal to crack down on people smugglers and break their supply chains. Just last week, we signed a new agreement with Vietnam, strengthening our cooperation on illegal migration.

“Together with law enforcement agencies such as the NCA, our French partners, and other countries like Vietnam, we are committed to dismantling the criminal gangs who are trying to turn a profit by abusing our borders.

“This operation is a prime example of that partnership working in action.”

National Crime Agency Director of Threat Leadership Chris Farrimond added: “People smuggling via small boats is extremely dangerous and the safety of those making the journey is of no concern for criminal groups who are exploiting them for profit.

“As well the high-risk method of transport, entering under these clandestine means automatically puts these people under increased risk of being forced into exploitation and debt bondage by these groups. Migrants are often sold a dream of a better life and access to well-paid employment in the UK but this is not the reality.

“Vietnamese nationals now make up a large number of those we see arriving on small boats. We allege this group were advertising their crossing services on social media to encourage others from their country to make the same treacherous journey.

“The NCA is continuing our work with partners and has had thousands of social media pages and posts advertising organised immigration crime services removed from platforms.

“These arrests were possible thanks to our close working with the CPS and the French authorities who have arrested a number of people they believe are linked to this group in France.

“Tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the National Crime Agency and our investigation continues to target people smugglers both in the UK and overseas at every step of the route.”

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes