Spokesperson underlines citizen protection measures in Cambodia and RoK

In reply to reporters’ questions regarding the situation of Vietnamese workers being forced to work in the neighbouring country, Hang said solutions have been carried out with collaboration between Vietnamese representative agencies in Cambodia and competent agencies and localities at home, especially localities along the shared border with Cambodia.

Specialised working teams have been set up to respond to citizens’ requests, post warnings on websites and social network accounts of Vietnamese representative agencies in Cambodia, and work with Cambodian agencies to support Vietnamese victims.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia has set up a citizen protection hotline, along with a hotline of the Consular Department to receive reports on victims and other information, while coordinating with competent agencies at home, especially media agencies, to provide information and raise public awareness of the issue.

Thanks to the efforts of domestic agencies, and with coordination from the Cambodian side, to date, about 400 citizens have been brought home, while guidance and legal support have been given to roughly 1,500 workers meeting difficulties in exiting, traveling and extending their residence or violating the host country's laws, the spokesperson said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad will continue to coordinate with domestic and Cambodian authorities to accelerate investigations and take necessary citizen protection measures.

In another move, the official said the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (RoK) has contacted the Korean National Police Agency to verify information about 33 Vietnamese citizens detained in the RoK and requested the Korean side to ensure their legitimate rights and interests,

Responding to reporters at the ministry’s regular press briefing the same day, she noted the ministry has also asked the embassy to closely monitor the case while launching necessary measures to protect the citizens in line with both nations’ law.

According to the diplomat, the number of Vietnamese people working, studying, and traveling abroad is on the rise. The vast majority of them strictly comply with the laws of their host nations, as a contribution to creating a good image of Vietnam and its people. However, a small number of Vietnamese have violated laws while abroad.

The ministry and Vietnamese representative missions overseas always maintain hotlines for citizen protection, keep in close contact with local authorities, and coordinate with relevant Vietnamese agencies to take prompt citizen protection measures when necessary, she said.

The ministry works closely with domestic agencies to take measures to handle and solve problems, such as increasing the review and handling of violations and stepping up communications to raise citizens' awareness of the laws and customs of host countries, Hang stressed.
Hang underscored the need to advise citizens to avoid being taken advantage of or violating the law overseas, and to protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the laws of Vietnam and other foreign countries.