Citizen protection in the Middle East: Responding to every ring from the hotline
WVR - Under the guidance and direction of the Party and State leaders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has closely coordinated with relevant agencies and Vietnamese representative offices in Iran, Israel, and several Middle Eastern countries to proactively and promptly support citizens, implementing flexible and effective protection measures.
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| On March 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a phone conversation with the Prime Minister of Kuwait, requesting the Kuwaiti Government to continue supporting the security and safety of Vietnamese citizens in Kuwait, facilitating the evacuation of Vietnamese citizens. (Source: VGP) |
As the name suggests, the citizen protection hotline in Vietnam, at Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and at Vietnamese representative missions in Iran, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries are always ready 24/7 to receive calls and support citizens amid escalating regional tensions in recent days. At this moment, the call from compatriots in "conflict hotspots" becomes the highest and most sacred command for citizen protection work and those on this frontline.
On duty at the epicenter
Amid escalating tensions in the "Middle East hotspot", communication channels between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant agencies, and Vietnamese representative missions in Iran, Israel, and some neighbouring countries are continuously maintained. From the homeland to Embassies in the region, diplomatic staff closely monitor every development, while maintaining regular contact with the Vietnamese community in the host country. Simultaneously, the representative missions also directly work with local authorities to support Vietnamese citizens facing difficulties, including tourists in transit or delegations whose flights were canceled due to temporary airspace closures in the region.
Currently, there are over 12,000 Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in this area. So far, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang, the situation of Vietnamese citizens here is basically stable, with no reports of citizens being affected by the conflicts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises citizens to ensure safety and provides emergency contact points; proactively implements citizen protection work, and prepares evacuation plans when necessary.
| Across the Middle East, the Consular Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is currently coordinating with representative missions to implement citizen protection measures and evacuate those who wish to move to a safe place or return home according to appropriate plans. |
In Iran, the epicenter of the conflict, Vietnamese Ambassador to Iran Nguyen Luong Ngoc shared with the press that the citizen protection work is directed closely, regularly, and early by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since mid-January 2026, detailed citizen protection plans in the area have been developed and related resources fully prepared.
According to Ambassador Nguyen Luong Ngoc, there are currently a total of 38 Vietnamese citizens in Iran, including 13 permanent residents and 3 citizens working and studying, over 20 Embassy staff and family members. Since the conflict erupted on February 28, the situation of Vietnamese citizens remains safe and mentally stable. No tourists are stranded.
Ambassador Nguyen Luong Ngoc stated that 19 Embassy staff and family members have been evacuated to a town in northern Iran, 400km from Tehran, since the morning of February 26. This location has no sensitive targets that could be attacked. So far, this area remains quiet and safe. Three temporary residents 200km from Tehran are urgently moving to the aforementioned evacuation area. For the 13 permanent residents in Iran, nine reside far from conflict zones. As for the four women in Tehran with their Iranian husbands' families, the Embassy is urging them to leave the capital for safer areas or temporarily stay at the embassy.
Despite potential difficulties and dangers, with the highest readiness spirit, the Ambassador and some staff continue to work at the embassy headquarters to monitor the situation and are ready to implement citizen protection at any time. The embassy maintains regular contact with citizens, guiding them on travel methods, exit procedures, and visa applications to third countries when necessary.
In Israel, the spirit of the "soldiers" on the citizen protection front is also highly promoted. Charge d'affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel Nghiem Xuan Hai Dang stated that the Embassy closely monitors the situation and promptly updates necessary information to the Vietnamese community in Israel. The Vietnamese diplomatic mission urges the Vietnamese community to seriously follow new instructions issued by the Israeli Government and proactively implement safety measures for themselves and their families. They should also regularly follow official announcements from the Israeli Home Front Command and relevant authorities.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel reports that no casualties or property damage have been recorded for the Vietnamese community in this country. The Embassy stands ready to accompany the community in all situations and always emphasizes the importance of safety measures.
In recent days, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – considered the "hub" of regional and international transit, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyen Thanh Diep and Embassy staff have been busy with citizen protection work, especially supporting Vietnamese whose travel is affected by the conflict. The Embassy headquarters has become a safe haven for many stranded citizens, while the ambassador and diplomatic staff are trusted companions, helping each citizen find solutions for their journey.
"Following the directives of the State, our Embassy always closely monitors the local situation and provides timely, specific recommendations to citizens," Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Diep shared with the press. To date, the Embassy has held two meetings with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several meetings with UAE airlines to request support and facilitate the transfer of over 200 Vietnamese tourists stranded at major airports (Dubai, Zayed) to third countries. Additionally, the Embassy has accommodated many Vietnamese students at the Embassy during their stay in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
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| Smoke rises after an attack in Tehran, Iran, on March 6, 2026. (Source: THX) |
A piece in the multicoloured picture
The campaign to protect Vietnamese citizens in the Middle East conflict zone is just a part of the broader picture of citizen protection work with many unique characteristics. Amid the complex developments of the global and regional situation, with many tension hotspots and new security challenges emerging, ensuring the safety of Vietnamese citizens abroad continues to be identified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a key priority.
Recently, units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Consular Department, have closely coordinated with Vietnamese representative missions abroad to implement various protection measures under the motto "proactive - timely - effective - humane", focusing on closely monitoring developments in areas with conflicts, crises, instability, or potential safety risks.
Vietnamese representative missions abroad continue to be at the forefront of this work, proactively working with local authorities, international organizations, and relevant partners to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens, providing timely consular and humanitarian support when needed. Through direct support activities and encouragement of citizens, the concern and companionship of the Party and State with overseas Vietnamese in difficult times are realized.
In a conversation with The World and Vietnam Report, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that citizen protection is not merely an act of "protection" but must include the ability to grasp the situation, analyze, and forecast to propose different scenarios and plans. This is a very important professional requirement. In this work, besides responsibility and solid expertise, officials must wholeheartedly put their heart into every decision and action.
Behind seemingly dry but "telling" statistics about citizen protection work is the image of many officials working tirelessly, going beyond mere responsibility, standing between dangerous lines to ensure the safety of citizens in all circumstances. This not only demonstrates the determination and pioneering spirit of diplomatic "soldiers" but also illuminates the faith in humanity and compatriotism in all dangers and difficulties.
The conflict in the Middle East remains complex. Therefore, people in the heart of the conflict, including over 12,000 Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in the area, and those in transit, will still face many difficulties and dangers. However, with the spirit of coordination among forces, the citizen protection work will fulfill its mission, responding to every ring from the hotline, contributing to the security and safety of Vietnamese citizens on every journey.
| In phone conversations on March 9 between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jasim Al-Thani and President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the head of the Vietnamese Government emphasized the request for these Governments to continue supporting the security and safety of Vietnamese citizens in their countries, facilitating the evacuation of Vietnamese citizens when necessary. |
