Measures underway to ensure Vietnam’s energy security: Spokesperson

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang highlighted measures taken by Vietnamese ministries and agencies to ensure trade, economic activities and energy security amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, at the ministry's regular press briefing on March 5.

She said the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued recommendations to minimise the impact of the conflict in the region. Export–import industry associations were requested to closely monitor developments and maintain regular exchanges with relevant authorities to provide updated information for their members, enabling them to proactively adjust production, import–export and transport plans, avoid congestion and reduce negative impacts arising from the current conflict.

Domestic authorities are continuing to closely monitor the situation and update information on developments in the region to share with industry associations, while studying the possibility of strengthening cooperation with international organisations in order to proactively respond to similar situations in the future.

On March 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Decision No. 385/QD-TTg establishing a task force to ensure energy security in response to the complex developments of the conflict in the Middle East. The task force is tasked with regularly monitoring, assessing and forecasting the situation, reviewing the implementation of relevant measures, and promptly addressing difficulties and obstacles to ensure adequate fuel supply for production, business activities and people’s consumption.

The task force will also study and propose directions, solutions, mechanisms and policies to remove bottlenecks, strengthen forecasting capacity and ensure flexible, timely and effective policy responses so that Vietnam will not face unexpected disruptions to its energy security, said Hang.

As a member of the task force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate closely with other relevant ministries, sectors and agencies to effectively carry out tasks aimed at ensuring energy security amid the crisis in the Middle East, the spokesperson affirmed.

Regarding the protection of Vietnamese citizens in the Middle East, she said that according to Vietnamese representative missions in the region, more than 12,000 Vietnamese citizens are currently living, studying and working there.

She affirmed that so far, the situation of Vietnamese citizens in the region remains generally stable, and there have been no reports of citizens affected by the conflict.

In response to the current developments, under the close direction of Party and State leaders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has coordinated closely with relevant agencies and Vietnamese representative missions in Iran, Israel and neighbouring countries to monitor the situation and maintain regular contact with Vietnamese communities in the host countries. The missions have also worked with local authorities to support Vietnamese citizens, including tourists in transit and delegations whose flights were cancelled due to airspace closures.

The ministry has advised citizens to ensure their safety, provided emergency contact channels and actively implemented citizen protection measures, while preparing evacuation plans if necessary, Hang said.

In case of emergencies or difficulties, Vietnamese citizens are advised to contact the 24/7 citizen protection hotlines in Vietnam (operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Consular Department) as well as Vietnamese representative missions in Iran, Israel and neighbouring countries in the Middle East, including:

The Embassy of Vietnam in the United Arab Emirates (also accredited to Jordan):
Tel: +971 50 129 9789 (WhatsApp), +971 56 998 3688 (WhatsApp)
Email: vnemb1@emirates.net.ae

The Embassy of Vietnam in Saudi Arabia (also accredited to Oman, Bahrain, Yemen):
Tel: +966 59 573 1500, +966 54 069 5668, +966 56402 7319, +966 56 402 7310, +966 50 039 5148. Email:vnemb.sa@mofa.gov.vn

The Embassy of Vietnam in Iran (also accredited to Iraq and Syria):
Tel: +989339658252 (direct call), +989334609074 (WhatsApp, Viber)

The Embassy of Vietnam in Israel:
Tel: +972 55 502 5616, +972 50 878 3373
Email: giooctv.mofa@gmail.com
; thuynb.mofa@gmail.com

The Embassy of Vietnam in Qatar:
Tel: +974 7708 8920.
Email: vietnamembassy.doha@gmail.com

The Embassy of Vietnam in Kuwait: Tel: +965 9975 8155, +965 9982 2568, +965 9782 3639 (WhatsApp).
Email: vnemb.kw@gmail.com

The Embassy of Vietnam in Egypt (also accredited to Lebanon): Tel: +201040808993.
Email: consul.vnemb.eg@gmail.com

Citizen protection hotline of the Consular Department:
Tel: +84 981848484 or +84 965411118.
Email: baohocongdan@gmail.com

Regarding maritime activities in the Middle East, Hang said that according to relevant domestic authorities, maritime transport through the region currently faces many safety and security risks. The Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration has therefore requested relevant agencies, shipowners’ associations, Vietnamese shipowners and crew supply companies to regularly monitor and update developments in the region so as to take timely preventive and response measures, ensuring the safety of Vietnamese vessels operating on international routes and Vietnamese seafarers working on foreign ships passing through the area.

Vietnamese missions in Iran, Israel and neighbouring countries are continuing to closely follow the situation and coordinate with domestic authorities to prepare necessary protection measures in case Vietnamese vessels or citizens encounter difficulties, she added./.