Travel Advisory: Vietnamese Citizens Urged to Leave Lebanon Amid Escalating Tensions

The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt, concurrently serving in Lebanon, has reiterated its recommendation for Vietnamese citizens living and working in Lebanon to leave the country due to escalating tensions in the region.

The Embassy’s warning comes after a series of events caused large casualties in the Middle East, prompting the United Nations Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on September 25.

Several airlines, including Flydubai, Etihad, Qatar Airways, EgyptAir, Lufthansa, and British Airways, have temporarily suspended flights to and from Beirut, Lebanon.

Many countries, including the US, Australia, UK, and Egypt, have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately or avoid traveling to the country.

The Embassy has emphasized that relevant parties continue to exchange tough words and moves, both in the media and on the ground, and has urged Vietnamese citizens to exercise extreme caution.

For those who cannot leave Lebanon due to force majeure, the Embassy recommends increasing vigilance and monitoring local mass media.

Citizens are advised to minimize gatherings in crowded places and avoid areas near the southern border with Israel, the northern and eastern areas near the border with Syria, and the southern area of Beirut.

Currently, 13 Vietnamese citizens are living and working in Lebanon, and relatives in the Vietnamese community in Lebanon are reported to be safe.

Citizens are advised to prepare food and backup medicine at their place of residence to prevent bad situations.

In case of emergency requiring assistance, citizens can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt concurrently in Lebanon or the Vietnam Honorary Consulate Office in Lebanon.

Hotlines: Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt: +20 102 613 9869; Vietnam Honorary Consulate Office in Lebanon: +961 70 229 300; Citizen Protection Hotline +84 981 84 84 84.

The international community, including Arab countries, the US, and the European Union, has called for a “temporary ceasefire” in Lebanon.

The joint statement has received approval from the EU, US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar.