Vietnam confirms citizens among migrants stranded at Brazilian airport

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said at a press briefing that the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil had verified the presence of Vietnamese nationals among the stranded migrants at Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo.

The statement follows a Reuters report on Aug. 24, which revealed that at least 666 people, including migrants from India, Nepal and Vietnam, had been stranded for weeks at the airport. According to a Brazilian official, the migrants were unable to enter Brazil due to a lack of visas and were confined to a restricted area of the airport, where access to food and water was limited.

The situation has persisted since Brazil tightened its immigration regulations in response to an influx of people transiting through the country en route to North America, particularly from Asia. On Aug. 19, Brazilian authorities announced that foreigners without Brazilian visas, who are traveling to another country, must either proceed directly to their destination or return to their home countries.

Hang said Vietnam is closely coordinating with Brazilian authorities to monitor the situation and is prepared to deploy citizen protection measures as needed.

She affirmed Vietnam's commitment to promoting legal and safe migration while preventing illegal migration and human trafficking, adding that Vietnam is working with relevant countries to establish and maintain a transparent and safe migration environment, ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of migrants.