MH370: Vietnam ends search after Malaysia decides to end searching in South China Sea

Vietnam has decided to end the search mission for a missing Malaysian jet after it was informed that Malaysia has decided to end searching for the Boeing 777-200ER in the South China Sea, a senior military officer said at Vietnam's National Committee for Search and Rescue here on Saturday.

Vo Van Tuan, deputy chief of the General Staff of Vietnam People's Army, told reporters the decision was made after Vietnam had received information from Vietnamese ambassador to Malaysia Saturday afternoon that Malaysia has decided to end searching in the South China Sea, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

Do Ba Ty, chief of the General Staff of Vietnam People's Army and deputy defence minister, announced the decision at a meeting held at the headquarters of the Defence Ministry upon consideration of the information.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 enroute to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew on board disappeared suddenly early last Saturday about an hour after taking off from the KL International Airport at 12.41 am.

It was scheduled to arrive in Beijing at 6.30 am the same day.