Woman arrested for housing 10 Bangladeshi nationals who overstayed in Vietnam

The provincial Department of Public Security announced on Tuesday that the investigation agency had initiated criminal proceedings and ordered the temporary detention of Tran Thi Phan, a resident of Tan Dong Commune, to investigate her alleged involvement in organizing illegal stays for foreigners in Vietnam.

The case came to light after the provincial immigration management division, in coordination with police from Tan Dong and Tan Hoi Communes, conducted accommodation inspections and discovered 10 Bangladeshi men staying at two houses in Dong Thanh Hamlet in Tan Dong Commune, and Tan Phu Hamlet in Tan Hoi Commune.

The men, aged between 22 and 55, had failed to register their temporary residence information and had overstayed their permitted stay in Vietnam since 2024.

Investigations identified Phan as the person who had rented the two houses to accommodate the Bangladeshi nationals.

During questioning, Phan admitted that she knew the foreigners had exceeded their permitted stay in Vietnam.

However, citing labor demand and lower hiring costs compared with Vietnamese workers, she decided to allow them to remain and continue working.

In September, Phan rented the two properties for the 10 Bangladeshi men to live in while working at a construction site in the area.

Following the incident, police warned that organizing, brokering or assisting foreigners in remaining illegally in Vietnam constitutes a serious violation of Vietnamese law and can adversely affect public order, social safety and national security.

As per Article 348 of Vietnam's Penal Code, individuals who organize or broker illegal stays for foreign nationals in Vietnam for financial gain or other reasons may face criminal prosecution, with prison sentences ranging from one to 15 years.

They shall also be fined between VND10 million and VND50 million (US$390-1,950) or prohibited from residing in certain areas for one to five years.

Individuals, accommodation providers and businesses found indirectly involved in such violations may also face administrative penalties and additional sanctions, including the revocation of business licenses.

To avoid violations, authorities urged individuals and organizations not to knowingly accommodate, rent properties to, employ or conceal foreign nationals who lack valid immigration documents, visas or temporary residence certificates.

Residents who discover signs of foreigners staying illegally in Vietnam are encouraged to promptly notify officers so that appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the law.