Consular Department: Staying closely connected with people, committed to practically serving citizens
WVR - Recognizing consular work and citizen protection as being closely connected to the people and directly serving their needs, the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consistently adheres to the Party and Government's policy of serving the Fatherland and its people, said the Director General.
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| Director General of the Consular Department Doan Hoang Minh. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
On the eve of the Tet Lunar New Year 2025, in talking with the World and Vietnam Report, Director General of the Consular Department, Doan Hoang Minh, reflected on the outstanding achievements of citizen protection efforts in 2024 and reaffirmed commitments to carrying out the Department’s tasks in 2025.
Outstanding outcomes of citizen protection in 2024,
Regarding citizen protection work in 2024, he noted that due to global instability, many countries have tightened their entry and residency policies and increased the deportation of foreigners who violate the law, engage in illegal immigration, or work without proper authorization.
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| Staying connected with the people, committed to serving them: The Labour Management Board, Embassy of Vietnam in Japan support Vietnamese citizens who were owed wages. (Photo: Embassy of Vietnam in Japan) |
In response, the Consular Department has intensified its guidance on professional matters, closely coordinating with relevant agencies at home and abroad to continuously monitor developments, stay informed, and remain prepared with citizen protection plans.
Significant attention has also been given to public communication and awareness efforts, including information about legal, safe and orderly migration, warning against fraudulent job offers promising "easy work with high salaries," improving understanding of foreign laws and customs, and combating illegal migration.
The Consular Department has enhanced the standardization of citizen protection procedures and actively participated in inter-agency mechanisms to safeguard Vietnamese enterprises abroad. In September 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a ministerial-level protocol outlining the steps for conducting citizen protection efforts abroad during crisis situations, improving the professionalism, timeliness, and transparency of this work.
The Director General highlighted a number of notable achievements in citizen protection in 2024. Throughout the year, the Consular Department effectively coordinated with relevant agencies, local authorities, and representative missions to provide protection for more than 16,000 citizens, including the rescue of individuals forced into labour and successful repatriation of 2,170 people.
At the same time, the Consular Department proactively directed Representative Missions to issue timely warnings about potential risks abroad, assess situations on the ground, and provide guidance to citizens in conflict zones and areas affected by natural disasters. It also prepared evacuation plans when necessary.
Throughout the year, the Department handled numerous complex cases, protected Vietnamese fishermen and fishing vessels, and actively contributed to the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—working toward the goal of having the European Commission’s (EC) "yellow card" lifted by 2025. Additionally, the Consular Department coordinated with Representative Missions to support nine cases involving the protection of Vietnamese legal entities abroad.
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| Staying connected with the people, committed to serving them: On December 11 and 12, 2024, at Moc Bai International Border Gate, concerning authorities received 410 Vietnamese people who were returned by Cambodian authorities for working and residing illegally in Cambodia. (Photo: NLD) |
Through the Citizen Protection Hotline, the department received nearly 4,000 calls in 2024, providing timely assistance and guidance to citizens.
Priorities for citizen protection work in 2025
Regarding the direction for citizen protection work in 2025, Director General Minh reaffirmed the Consular Department’s commitment to enhancing professionalism and effectiveness in its efforts. In 2025, the Department will prioritize the following key measures:
First, strengthening standardization of procedural frameworks, proactively collect and classify data, and develop protection plans, especially for high-risk conflict areas.
Second, enhancing crisis response, proactively forecast and prepare response scenarios in advance to minimize negative impacts.
Third,protecting fishermen and fishing vessels, strengthen coordination with relevant agencies to combat IUU fishing, working toward the removal of the European Commission’s (EC) "yellow card."
Fourth, expanding cooperation, including review and refining bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms on consular affairs and citizen protection.
Fifth, promoting legal migration through coordination with international organizations to combat human trafficking and illegal migration while facilitating the return and reintegration of repatriated citizens.
Sixth, strengthening information work. Specifically, provide timely and accurate information about protection cases and their updates and government efforts to reinforce citizens’ confidence while living and working abroad. Increase warnings and advisories on potential risks.
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| Vietnam actively contributes to review conference for Global Compact for migration: Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (left) and head of the Vietnamese delegation, Deputy Director General of the Consular Department Phan Thi Minh Giang at the conference. (Photo: VNA) |
Seventh, Ensuring oversight and accountability. Conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with legal frameworks, prevent corruption, and maintain integrity in citizen protection efforts.
Marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s revolutionary diplomacy,
The year 2025 holds special significance for the diplomatic sector, Director General Minh noted. The Consular Department has consistently made significant contributions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 80-year journey of its establishment and development.
In response to the emulation slogan launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its establishment, the Consular Department remains steadfast in its mission to protect Vietnamese citizens and legal entities abroad.
In the past, this included establishing the first consular missions abroad to promote international recognition of the young Vietnamese state, contributing to the lifting of embargoes through consular cooperation, resolving difficulties and differences harmoniously, promoting normalization, and fostering foreign relations through diversification and multilateralization. The Department has also played a crucial role in promptly and effectively protecting Vietnamese citizens and legal entities abroad, thereby contributing to the development of a comprehensive and modern diplomatic service.
Director Geneal Minh elaborated the tasks assigned to the Consular Department in this commemorative year. He reaffirmed that the entire leadership, officials, and employees of the Consular Department are committed to carrying out their duties with a people-centric approach—placing citizens at the heart of all consular activities and using public satisfaction and trust as key measures of staff performance and work efficiency.
In the colorful picture of Vietnam's foreign affairs, from political diplomacy, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, he noted consular work is associated with the law and practical life, directly related to the rights and interests of individuals, businesses and organizations.
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| Staying connected with the people, committed to serving them: On March 18, 2024, at the 31st Session of the National Assembly Standing Committee. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son answered questions about the protection of Vietnamese citizens abroad. (Photo: VOV) |
Recognizing the nature of consular work and citizen protection as being closely connected to the people and directly serving their needs, the Consular Department consistently upholds the Party and Government's policy of serving the nation and its citizens. This spirit has been widely promoted and implemented at all levels, from the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to functional units and Vietnam’s representative missions abroad, ensuring the effective execution of consular duties, administrative procedures, and services for citizens and businesses.
To effectively fulfill this mission, the Director General emphasized the need for a comprehensive set of solutions:
First, further strengthen institutional frameworks by revising legal documents, streamlining professional processes to simplify application requirements, accelerating digital transformation, and enhancing transparency and public accessibility in consular affairs.
Second, conduct in-depth and systematic research on consular expertise and professional practices, drawing from international best practices and experiences. Strengthen international cooperation in consular affairs to enhance convenience for citizens and promptly address emerging issues.
Third, adopt a more proactive approach to consular work and citizen protection through public awareness campaigns and education, helping Vietnamese citizens better understand the risks and responsibilities of traveling abroad. Reinforce the role and responsibility of Vietnam’s representative missions overseas, ensuring regular exchanges, guidance, and supervision for the effective execution of consular duties.
Fourth, prioritize training and capacity building for consular officials, fostering strong political integrity and professional ethics. Ensure that consular officers are not only highly competent but also morally upright, possessing expertise, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving the people.
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