Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 26 asked authorities to evacuate Vietnamese citizens and their families from Ukraine when needed.

Vietnamese returnees on a flight home during Covid-19. Photo: Khanh Huy/The Hanoi Times

Under the request, various ministries need to immediately build plans for support, protection, and evacuation on the real situation and demand. Ensuring the safety and legitimate interest of Vietnamese citizens and legal entities in Ukraine becomes Vietnam’s top priority amid complicated armed conflicts.

The authorized agencies need to help citizens to seek shelter in neighboring countries. In addition, cooperating with regional countries, international bodies, and humanitarian organizations should be made if needed.

Currently, authorized agencies are tasked with devising protection measures for 7,000 Vietnamese citizens reside in Ukraine, mainly in Kharkiv, Odesa, and the capital city of Kyiv.

Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Transport; Education and Training; Labor, Invalid and Social Affairs; Public Security; Finance; Industry and Trade; Information and Communications; and the State Bank of Vietnam are asked to join the mission.

On February 25, Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the armed conflicts in Ukraine and called on related parties to ensure the safety and legitimate rights of the Vietnamese community there.

Some hotlines and emails are available for citizens in case of support: The Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine +380 (63) 8638999; The Embassy of Vietnam in Russia: +79916821617; or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +84 965411118; +84 981848484; Email: baohocongdan@gmail.com. 

Concern for the armed conflicts in Ukraine is growing after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two separatist regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine on February 21, three days later, Russia sent troops to the neighboring country.

Koshytsa, Kyiv in Russia’s armed campaign in Ukraine on Feb 25. Photo: VNA