Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang. Vietnamese authorities are stepping up efforts to bring citizens back from China as soon as possible - PHOTO: VNA

The Vietnamese Embassy in China has received 29 requests from Vietnamese nationals in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, to return to their home country, Hang told a regular briefing today afternoon, February 6.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is collaborating with the relevant agencies to prepare to take Vietnamese citizens home, Hang said, adding that this plan is in compliance with international and Vietnamese regulations.

The spokeswoman explained that the representative agencies of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry have contacted over 400 Vietnamese citizens living, studying and taking tours in China. They are all well, she noted.

The ministry also told its agencies in foreign countries, especially in China, to regularly provide updates and keep a close watch on the outbreak, the local media reported, citing Hang.

The deadly coronavirus, which was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei late last year, has killed more than 560 people and infected over 28,000 in 27 countries and territories, most of them in China.  

Hang said that Vietnam is working closely with the Chinese to contain the spread of the Wuhan virus and protect citizens, alongside hosting various support activities, including providing goods and medical equipment worth US$500,000.

The country will continue working with China to keep the epidemic under control, Hang said, adding that Vietnam is willing to cooperate with the World Health Organization and the international community to contain the rapidly spreading virus. SGT

Vietnam working closely with China in nCoV combat: spokeswoman

Vietnam has been cooperating actively with China to control coronavirus and protect citizens of both countries in the fight against this virus, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has said.