THE largest group of Vietnamese to return home voluntarily landed in Hanoi yesterday aboard a specially chartered Boeing 747.
The 369 migrants were part of the voluntary repatriation programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - a programme that has been a subject of major concern for the Government.
Officials are trying to agree with Hanoi on a date for talks on the programme, which has been stymied by refusals from Vietnamese officials to accept non-nationals of Vietnam.
Refugees Co-ordinator Brian Bresnihan is hoping to discuss the issue as a matter of urgency, but diplomatic relations between Hong Kong and Hanoi have been frosty in recent weeks.
Governor Chris Patten has threatened to cancel a visit to Hanoi scheduled for early next year unless Vietnam agrees to talks.
Hong Kong has been forced to release more than 120 people who have applied for repatriation, but been rejected by Hanoi.
Their continued detention would have been illegal.