Among those receiving reduced sentences were Tran Tung, former Deputy Director of the Thai Nguyen provincial Department of Foreign Affairs, whose prison term was cut to 10 years from 12, with six years for accepting bribes and four for abusing power while performing official duties.

A Vietnam Airlines flight safely brought home nearly 250 Vietnamese citizens from Israel and Oman on December 22-23 thanks to concerted efforts from Vietnamese missions in the Middle Eastern countries and local authorities.

More than 340 Vietnamese citizens were flown home from Angola on a flight of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on August 13.