Vietnamese embassies formulate consular protection system for Vietnamese citizens in Middle East

Pham made the announcement while providing updates on consular protection for Vietnamese citizens in the Middle East at the ministry's regular press briefing on March 19 in Ha Noi.

The diplomat said that most Vietnamese citizens travelling or in transit whose flights were cancelled due to airspace closures have either returned to Vietnam or boarded alternative flights to leave the Middle East.

Regarding Vietnamese vessels and sailors who have yet to depart the Strait of Hormuz, Vietnamese missions abroad are maintaining close coordination with local authorities and relevant agencies to monitor developments and stand ready to implement measures to ensure the safety and security of both crew members and vessels.

In line with the ministry's directives, Vietnamese representative missions in Iran, Israel, and neighboring areas are reviewing the needs of Vietnamese citizens in their jurisdictions and working closely with local authorities as well as relevant agencies at home to implement suitable support measures.

In Saudi Arabia, the Vietnamese Embassy has engaged with local authorities, who have agreed to grant free transit visas to Vietnamese citizens at border gates as well as at Saudi Arabian representative offices in the region. For vessels with Vietnamese crew members stranded at the country's ports, port authorities, at the embassy's request, have contacted the vessels and crew representatives to assess the situation and provide necessary assistance.

In the UAE, the Vietnamese Embassy has worked with the host's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and airlines to facilitate the transit of more than 200 Vietnamese tourists stranded at major airports, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, enabling them to travel onward to third countries. The embassy has also received Vietnamese citizens unable to leave Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and provided them with essential supplies.

Vietnamese citizens in Iran, Israel, and neighboring countries are advised to closely follow updates from local authorities as well as notices issued by Viet Nam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas missions.

In case of emergency or difficulty, citizens are urged to immediately contact the 24/7 consular protection hotlines of Vietnamese representative missions in Iran, Israel, and nearby areas, or the Ministry's Consular Protection Call Centre for prompt assistance.

Also at the briefing, responding to reports circulating on social media in recent days alleging that Viet Nam had provided humanitarian aid to Iran, the Spokesperson affirmed that such information is inaccurate./.