Ambassador Nguyen Luong Ngoc of Vietnam to Iran stated that since the morning of 28/2, when the US and Israeli militaries launched attacks on Iran, Vietnamese citizens have remained safe and their morale stable.

Ngoc reported that there are 38 Vietnamese citizens in Iran, comprising 13 permanent residents, two students, and 23 embassy staff and their families. No Vietnamese tourists are stranded.

19 staff members and their families have been evacuated to a northern city near the Caspian Sea, approximately 400 km from the capital Tehran. This is a remote area without sensitive targets. Two Vietnamese students residing in Gazville, 200 km from Tehran, are currently safe, their morale stable, and are urgently moving to the evacuation area.

Smoke rises in the Araqi neighborhood, Tehran, on 1/3. *Photo: AFP*

Of the 13 permanent residents, 9 live far from the conflict zone. Four Vietnamese individuals are in Tehran with their Iranian husbands' families. The embassy is urging them to leave the capital for a safer area soon, or to temporarily stay at the embassy.

The US and Israeli militaries launched strikes on Iran on the morning of 28/2, targeting defense and intelligence facilities, as well as several high-ranking officials and generals.

Iran later announced a retaliatory operation targeting Israeli territory and several US bases in various Middle Eastern countries, causing infrastructure damage. Tehran asserted its targets were Washington's forces, not the territories of neighboring nations.

Ambassador Nguyen Luong Ngoc reported that since the attacks began, streets have been relatively chaotic, traffic congested, people limiting their outdoor movement, and internet disrupted. No food hoarding has been observed.

Vietnamese Embassy in Iran citizen protection hotline: +98 933965 8252 (direct call) or +98 933 460 9074 (Whatsapp, Viber).

Numerous Vietnamese diplomatic missions across the Middle East have issued urgent warnings to the Vietnamese communities residing, studying, and working in their host countries.

The Vietnamese Embassies in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Kuwait advise citizens to: remain vigilant, limit travel, avoid crowded places and sensitive locations, proactively prepare local safety plans, check personal documents, closely follow information, maintain communication, and comply with instructions from local authorities.

Kuwait International Airport hit by airstrike on 1/3. *Video: Facebook/Vietnamese Embassy in Kuwait*

On 28/2, the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel advised citizens to be ready to return to Vietnam or travel to a third country, and to maintain regular contact with the embassy.

Vietnamese Embassy in Israel citizen protection hotline: +972 555 025 616 or +972 508 783 373.

Emergency numbers in Israel: Police: 100, Medical Emergency (MDA): 101, Fire & Rescue: 102.

Following the airstrikes on Iran, Israel's Home Front Command decided to shift its nationwide operational status to "essential activities only." All educational activities were suspended, mass gatherings prohibited, and businesses and workplaces ceased operations, except for essential services. Residents were instructed to stay near shelters. This policy was effective from 8h on 28/2 until 20h on 2/3.

On 1/3, the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia opened an online registration form for citizens to submit urgent assistance requests.

The embassy advises Vietnamese citizens in Saudi Arabia and its concurrently accredited countries – Oman, Bahrain, and Yemen – to: implement safety measures, always carry personal identification, save copies on electronic devices for emergencies, and proactively check flight information.

Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia citizen protection hotline: +966 114 547 887 or +966 595 791 500.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the UAE urges citizens to closely monitor information and advises Vietnamese citizens stranded at UAE airports to comply with airline and official instructions. The embassy has published maps of risk areas and safe shelters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Map of risk areas and safe shelters in the UAE. *Graphic: Vietnamese Embassy in UAE*

The Vietnamese Embassy in Qatar also opened an online registration form for the Vietnamese community to update personal information, assisting the embassy's protection efforts in emergencies. The agency advises citizens to stock minimum essential supplies such as: drinking water, dried food, medicine, backup batteries, flashlights, and to strictly and immediately comply when Qatari officials issue "shelter in place" or travel restriction guidelines.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Kuwait announced it is implementing "shelter in place" measures for all staff, recommending Vietnamese citizens do the same, preparing food, medicine, keeping phones fully charged, and maintaining contact with family and friends. The agency warns that airstrikes will continue for several hours, advising Vietnamese people to limit travel, stay away from windows, and strictly comply with instructions from Kuwaiti authorities.

Vietnamese Embassy in UAE citizen protection hotline: +971 50 129 9789.

Vietnamese Embassy in Qatar citizen protection hotline: +974 7708 8920.

Vietnamese Embassy in Kuwait citizen protection hotline: +965 9975 8155.

Kuwait Police/Emergency/Fire: 112.

Duc Trung