Missing Malaysian plane: Vietnam search efforts hailed
(VOV) - Vietnam’s continuous search efforts for the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft Boeing 777-200 have grabbed the headlines of various foreign news agencies over the past few days.
China’s Global Times on March 11 acknowledged appreciation for Vietnam’s commitment and assistance in the international search for the Malaysian jet.
Vietnam deployed military forces including helicopters and ships to search for the plane at Malaysia’s request. The Vietnam search operation was led by Vo Van Tuan, deputy head of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army.
 |
| Domestic and foreign correspondents show keen interest in the case |
A search command headquarters was set up on Phu Quoc island, close to the area where the plane was reported missing.
The country also permitted Chinese ships to enter its territorial waters to join multinational search efforts.
MH370 was carrying 239 passengers and crew, including 152 Chinese nationals, when it vanished in the early hours of March 8.
The BBC reported through the joint search operation that Vietnam has shown a high sense of responsibility for a multinational humanitarian case.
Major British newspapers published pictures of Vietnamese helicopters and ships heading for the search area, and noted Vietnam has made an all-out effort despite the fact none of the passengers aboard the flight were Vietnamese nationals
Foreign correspondents at work
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) says it has coordinated closely with relevant Vietnamese ministries and provinces to create favourable conditions for foreign correspondents to fly south to cover news stories.
The MOFA Press and Information Department has set up a mission working around the clock to provide domestic and foreign correspondents with rapid, correct, and sufficient information about the missing plane.
The ministry says it has received requests for support from more than 90 foreign correspondents of over 25 news agencies including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Britain and the US.
Journalists from foreign news agencies based in Vietnam such as Xinhua of China, Kyodo of Tokyo, Reuters of Britain, AFP of France and AP of the US have received help in reaching the search area where the Malaysian jet was reported missing.