When unexpected events such as war, natural disasters, or epidemics occur, Vietnamese citizens abroad face numerous risks and uncertainties. In such circumstances, the protection of citizens is not only a responsibility of the State but also reflects the care, connection, and desire to safeguard Vietnamese nationals abroad during their most difficult times. The legal framework provides a solid foundation for the timely implementation of support measures, contributing to ensuring the safety of citizens in critical moments.
1. Legal Basis
- Article 17 of the 2013 Constitution: The State protects Vietnamese citizens abroad.
- Article 6 of the Consolidated Law on Vietnamese Nationality: The State protects the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens abroad, in accordance with international law and the laws of the host country.
- Article 5 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations: Stipulates the rights and obligations of consular offices in protecting citizens in the host country.
- Articles 8 and 9 of the Law on Vietnamese Representative Missions Abroad 2009 (amended in 2017): Set out the duties of diplomatic and consular missions in protecting citizens.
- Draft Law on Emergency Situations (2025): Provides for support measures to be applied during emergencies such as major disasters, dangerous epidemics, or threats to national defense and social security.
2. Protection Measures in Emergency Situations
- Emergency support: Establish hotlines at representative offices to receive emergency support requests; dispatch personnel to countries experiencing epidemics or war; provide financial assistance, medicine, food, temporary accommodation, and other essential items for those in distress or stranded in the host country.
- Repatriation: Coordinate with airlines and international organizations to organize repatriation flights (e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic, over 53,000 citizens were brought back to Vietnam).
- Post-incident assistance: Provide legal support for citizens who are detained, involved in accidents, deceased, or otherwise at risk in the host country; arrange for the return of remains or ashes to Vietnam.
- Warnings and advisories: Timely dissemination of information through media channels, consular websites, hotlines; issue travel warnings and advisories urging citizens to avoid dangerous areas.
- Other assistance: Mobilize assets and means of transport when necessary for protection efforts (pursuant to Article 7 of the Ordinance on Emergency Situations); reissue identification documents (passports, travel documents) for citizens who have lost or damaged them.
- Diplomatic intervention: Engage with host country authorities to safeguard the rights of citizens, request fair investigation and trial.
3. Procedures for Requesting Emergency Assistance from the Vietnamese Government Abroad
3.1 Preparing the Assistance Request Dossier
Citizens or their relatives must prepare the following documents:
- Application for citizen protection assistance (using the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Vietnamese representative mission abroad).
- Identification documents: Passport, identity card/citizen ID, birth certificate (for children), address, phone number, and any other documents or materials relevant to the case.
- Clarification of the emergency situation requiring assistance, such as loss of contact, financial hardship, arrest, accident, natural disaster, expired visa, etc.
3.2 Submitting the Dossier to the Competent Authority
Applicants may choose one of the following methods:
- Directly contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General in the host country.
- Send an email or call the hotline of the representative mission (usually available 24/7).
- Contact the Citizen Protection Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam:
- 📞 +84 981 84 84 84
- Reach out to competent domestic agencies such as the Department of Overseas Labor Management or the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in the locality to carry out initial support for affected individuals.
3.3 Review and Handling of Requests by the Representative Mission
Upon receiving the information, the representative mission (Embassy or Consulate) shall:
- Verify the situation of the citizen abroad.
- Coordinate with local authorities in the host country to implement appropriate support measures (e.g., issuance of documents, legal assistance, etc.).
- Notify the family in Vietnam, if necessary.
Through the above analysis, it is evident that the protection of Vietnamese citizens abroad in emergency situations is not only a legal responsibility of the State but also a deeply humanitarian expression of solidarity with compatriots living far from home. While the legal framework provides a solid foundation for this protection, it still requires ongoing improvements to respond more effectively to the increasingly complex dynamics of the global landscape.
📞 CONTACT LEGAL CONSULTANT:
TLA Law is a leading law firm with a team of highly experienced lawyers specializing in criminal, civil, corporate, marriage and family law, and more. We are committed to providing comprehensive legal support and answering all your legal questions. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
1. Lawyer Vu Thi Phuong Thanh, Ha Noi Bar Association
Email: vtpthanh@tlalaw.vn
2. Lawyer Tran My Le, Ha Noi Bar Association
Email: https://tlalaw.vn/
TTQ