Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang speaks at the Ministry's regular press briefing on December 11th in Hanoi. (Photo: Huyen Trang/VOV5)

Hang said on Wednesday, Vietnam’s representative missions in Cambodia and Thailand issued advisories urging Vietnamese citizens to carefully consider travel to areas with complex security developments. Vietnamese nationals were advised to leave the affected region to ensure their own safety and that of their property. They were also requested to strictly follow the instructions of local authorities and maintain close contact with Vietnamese representative missions in both countries.

Hang said: “Most Vietnamese citizens in this area have been relocated to safe zones, far from the areas of active conflict, in accordance with guidance from local authorities. Given the current developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has coordinated with relevant agencies to assess the situation and has instructed Vietnamese missions in both countries to be fully prepared with necessary citizen protection measures. Hotlines have been activated at all representative offices as well as at the Consular Department to support citizens.”

At the same press briefing, responding to questions regarding the omission of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa, Truong Sa, and Phu Quoc special zones in a map displayed during the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, Ms. Hang said Vietnamese authorities have been working with the SEA Games 33 organizers for clarification. She reaffirmed Vietnam’s undisputed sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa special zones in accordance with international law.