Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (photo: VNA)

At the ministry's regular press conference on Thursday, Hang said that the Steering Committee for Citizen Protection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 23 discussed citizen protection work in conflict areas amidst escalating tension in the Middle East.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed Vietnamese representative offices in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt and Palestine to keep a close watch on the situation in the conflict area, regularly update information about the situation of Vietnamese citizens and work with relevant authorities of the host country and Vietnam to carry out citizen protection measures, support and ensure safety of Vietnamese citizens in necessary cases,” said Ms. Hang.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Vietnamese citizens to avoid travelling to Israel if it is not necessary, she stressed, highlighting those in Israel must prepare for evacuation to a third country or back to the homeland.

Vietnamese citizens in Israel should update information from local authorities and the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel, while closely following warnings from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so as to have a timely reaction, Ms Hang said.