Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang

Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang told the press on Thursday about Vietnam’s response to the Middle East tension. She said: “Vietnam is concerned about recent tension in the Middle East. We urged related parties to refrain themselves from escalating tension, and not to use force, while protecting civilians, and settle disputes through dialogues and peaceful measures based on international law for peace and stability in the region and the world.”

The spokeswoman highlighted measures to safeguard Vietnamese citizens in the Middle East. She said “The Foreign Ministry on January 8 issued a notification warning for limited travel to countries affected by the conflict. They should closely follow updates by local authorities to ensure safe life and property. The Foreign Ministry has announced hot lines in diplomatic representative offices in the region to facilitate communications when needed.”