Vietnam prepares evacuation plans for citizens in Middle East amid rising tensions

The foreign ministry's spokesperson Pham Thu Hang shared the information at the ministry’s regular press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, which drew significant attention from domestic and international media as well as foreign diplomatic missions.

Responding to reporters’ questions about Vietnamese citizens living in the region, Hang cited Vietnamese representative missions in the Middle East as saying that more than 12,000 Vietnamese citizens are currently living, studying, and working there.

“The situation of Vietnamese citizens in the region remains generally stable, and no cases of citizens being affected by the conflicts have been recorded so far,” Hang said.

She added that under the direction of Party, state, and government leaders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has coordinated with relevant authorities and Vietnamese diplomatic missions in Iran, Israel, and neighboring countries to closely monitor developments and maintain contact with Vietnamese communities.

The ministry has also worked with local authorities to support Vietnamese citizens, including tourists, transit passengers, and official delegations whose flights were canceled due to airspace closures in the region.

Safety advisories and emergency contact information have been provided to help ensure citizens’ safety during the current situation.

“Vietnam has proactively implemented citizen protection measures and stands ready with evacuation plans if necessary,” Hang said.

Regarding maritime activities, the spokesperson noted that Vietnamese authorities have warned of rising safety and maritime security risks for vessels transiting the Middle East.

To ensure the safety of Vietnamese ships operating on international routes and Vietnamese seafarers working on foreign vessels transiting the region, the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration has asked relevant agencies, shipowner associations, Vietnamese shipowners, and crewing companies to closely monitor the situation.

They have also been urged to stay updated on the conflict to prevent and respond to potential risks and ensure the safety of ships and crew members operating in the area.

Hang added that Vietnamese representative missions in Iran, Israel, and nearby countries are continuing to monitor developments and coordinating with domestic authorities to prepare protection measures if Vietnamese vessels or citizens encounter difficulties.

The conflict escalated last Saturday when U.S. and Israeli forces launched air strikes on targets in Tehran, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior officials.

Iran later responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East, and there have been no public signs of talks to ease tensions so far.

The foreign ministry also advised Vietnamese citizens in the Middle East to stay in close contact with Vietnamese diplomatic missions and follow guidance from local authorities to ensure their safety.

In case of emergency or difficulty, Vietnamese citizens should contact the 24/7 citizen protection hotlines or email addresses of Vietnamese embassies in the Middle East:

Israel: +972555025616, +972508783373; emails: giooctv.mofa@gmail.com, thuynb.mofa@gmail.com.

United Arab Emirates (covering Jordan): +971501299789, +971569983688 (WhatsApp); email: vnemb1@emirates.net.ae.

Saudi Arabia (covering Oman, Bahrain, Yemen): +966595731500, +966540695668, +966564027319, +966564027310, +966500395148; email: vnemb.sa@mofa.gov.vn.

Iran (covering Iraq, Syria): +989339658252; +989334609074 (WhatsApp, Viber).

Qatar: +97477088920; email: vietnamembassy.doha@gmail.com.

Kuwait: +96599758155, +96599822568, +96597823639 (WhatsApp); email: vnemb.kw@gmail.com.

Egypt (covering Lebanon): +201040808993; email: consul.vnemb.eg@gmail.com.

They may also contact the citizen protection call center of the foreign ministry’s Consular Department at +84981848484 or +84965411118; email: baohocongdan@gmail.com.