Prime Minister issues official dispatch on protection of Vietnamese citizens and legal entities in Ukraine

Ukrainian people cross the border into Hungary to avoid conflict, February 25, 2022. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Telegram sent to Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Government agencies; Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities, stating:

Since February 24, 2022, the armed conflict in Ukraine has become complicated, rapidly spreading across the territory of Ukraine, directly threatening the safety of life and property of people and businesses, including about 7,000 Vietnamese people residing in Ukraine, mainly in Kharkiv, Odessa and the capital Kiev and some other places... In the current complicated situation in Ukraine, with the desire for peace, stability and normal life to soon return to Ukraine, one of the top concerns of the Party, State, Government and Prime Minister is to ensure the highest security and safety of life, property, legal and legitimate interests of Vietnamese citizens and legal entities in Ukraine and related places. In the face of the above situation, the Prime Minister requests:

1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Develop a plan to ensure security and safety; evacuate citizens and members of representative agencies when necessary and deploy support in terms of accommodation, food, essential food and other necessary conditions.

- Direct Vietnamese representative agencies in Ukraine and neighboring countries to make a list of Vietnamese citizens in war zones, continue to implement support measures, quickly evacuate citizens from dangerous areas, take refuge in neighboring countries when necessary, and have plans to bring those in need back to Vietnam upon request.

In case of need of assistance, please contact the citizen protection hotline: Embassy of Vietnam in Ukraine (+380 (63) 8638999); Embassy of Vietnam in the Russian Federation (+79916821617) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (+84 965411118,+84 981848484; Email[email protected]).

- Exchange with regional countries, international organizations, and humanitarian organizations to request support for Vietnamese citizens when necessary.

2. The Ministry of Transport directs Vietnamese airlines to prepare plans to bring Vietnamese people and their family members back to the country according to their assigned functions, tasks, and authority, and to recommend appropriate measures for issues beyond their authority.

3. The Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and relevant ministries and branches shall review and count the number of Vietnamese people working, laboring and studying in Ukraine and notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deploy support and evacuate citizens from dangerous areas.

4. The Ministry of Public Security coordinates and facilitates the issuance of entry and exit documents for Vietnamese citizens, people of Vietnamese origin and family members.

5. The Ministries of Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade, Finance, Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, the State Bank and relevant agencies shall proactively monitor developments and impacts on bilateral cooperation with relevant partners, promptly recommend appropriate measures to ensure the legitimate interests of the nation, citizens and Vietnamese enterprises. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to review the situation, recommend appropriate measures to protect investment and business activities and the legitimate interests of Vietnamese enterprises in relevant localities. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall monitor, strengthen control, proactively take measures to stabilize the domestic market, promptly prevent acts of manipulation and profiteering; stabilize the psychology of people and enterprises.

6. The Ministry of Finance shall preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries and branches to arrange appropriate funding to implement necessary citizen protection plans.

7. The Ministry of Information and Communications, news agencies and press coordinate with relevant agencies to closely monitor developments, provide timely, accurate, objective, and warning information about developments in Ukraine to have a basis for appropriate, timely, and effective response.

8. Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, according to their functions and tasks, shall proactively coordinate with ministries and branches in protecting citizens and interests related to their localities.

9. In the current complicated situation, the Prime Minister requests the Vietnamese community and businesses, Vietnamese associations in Ukraine and related countries, especially neighboring countries, to strongly promote the tradition of great national unity, the spirit of self-reliance, mutual love and support "helping each other" in times of hardship, participating in supporting Vietnamese families, organizations and individuals in Ukraine, contributing to sharing and minimizing risks and damages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall monitor and urge the implementation of this Official Dispatch, and report to the Prime Minister on any problems arising during the implementation process for timely handling.