Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan: Dedicated to protecting Vietnamese citizens after the earthquake in Myanmar

Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan handed over relief goods on March 30. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Ly Quoc Tuan shared with The Gioi va Viet Nam Newspaper about citizen protection work after the devastating earthquake in Myanmar on March 28 that killed thousands of people and left many missing.

Could you tell us about the current situation in Myanmar after the earthquake, as well as the lives and psychology of the Vietnamese community there after this serious natural disaster?

On March 28, 2025, at 12:50 p.m., a 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred in Myanmar, with its epicenter in the southern Sagaing region, 16 km from the regional capital Mandalay, 640 km from Yangon, and 200 km from the capital Naypyidaw. This was the strongest earthquake in Myanmar in the past 100 years.

As of March 31, Myanmar authorities said they had recorded about 1,700 deaths in the affected areas. Other sources estimated the death toll at 2,056. The death toll is expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks.

The historic earthquake also caused huge damage to people and houses, roads, bridges, pagodas, schools... However, local authorities have not yet released figures on infrastructure damage.

Grasping the community situation is the number one priority in the disaster, at noon on March 28, the Embassy urgently contacted Vietnamese people in 6 states/regions heavily affected throughout Myanmar.

Enterprises such as the International Telecommunications Joint Venture Company (abbreviated as Mytel), StreamNet, Viettel Construction (VCM) and their branches in states/regions; communities and businesses concentrated in states/regions: Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Magway, Bago, Shan... are all safe as of April 1, with no deaths or injuries.

680 Vietnamese people in the border area between Myanmar and Thailand suffered minor aftershocks, with no health effects. Some businesses with warehouses and houses in Mandalay had cracked walls and collapsed fences. The most affected were the broadcasting towers and telecommunications cables of Mytel company.

In addition, a group of 9 Vietnamese people who went to Mandalay for free travel safely returned to Yangon on March 30.

Basically, this major earthquake has not had any immediate impact on the security and safety of Vietnamese citizens and businesses in Myanmar.

People search for belongings in the rubble of a collapsed building after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Source: Getty Images)

What measures and plans is the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar implementing to support citizens affected by this terrible earthquake?

Immediately after the earthquake, the Embassy urgently deployed a series of measures.

First, grasp and regularly update the situation of overseas Vietnamese and Vietnamese businesses in various places, including the 680 Vietnamese people being detained in Myawaddy, close to the border with Thailand; report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a plan to repatriate people in Myawaddy.

Second, share earthquake information with the community, update the situation and developments, and remind individuals, communities, and groups to pay attention to ensuring the safety of people and property during this difficult time.

Third , immediately report the disaster to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and domestic authorities.

Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan and the Vietnamese delegation went to Myanmar for earthquake relief. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar)

What recommendations and warnings does the Ambassador have for the Vietnamese community and businesses living and doing business in Myanmar?

On March 29, the Embassy issued a notice advising citizens and businesses in Myanmar to immediately avoid areas where aftershocks are occurring, to avoid endangering their lives and property, including those traveling alone and freely here. The warning was sent by phone on March 29 and in writing on March 30 for the community to easily and promptly access.

At the same time, the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued recommendations to citizens and organizations about traveling to Myanmar.

In the context of the severe consequences caused by the earthquake in the affected areas, we would like to request that people and businesses in Myanmar remain calm, pay attention to security and safety in travel and daily activities; and should not travel to areas where the local government has declared a state of emergency. For individuals and groups in the country, they should not organize their own tours or travel at this time; except for cases of work as required.

Embassy staff guide Vietnamese citizens in Kayin, Myanmar to complete repatriation procedures. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar)

This major earthquake certainly had a significant impact on the lives and activities of the Embassy's staff, but despite all the difficulties, the responsibility to protect citizens is always the top priority... Could you share your feelings and thoughts during the process of implementing citizen protection work after the earthquake?

Over the past years, the Embassy has experienced unprecedented difficulties, such as the Covid-19 pandemic spreading to Myanmar since March 2020 and the political change in February 2021. In that context, the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar always strive to overcome difficulties, from daily life to all aspects of work with the highest responsibility, always completing their work well or excellently.

It can be seen that the recent terrible earthquake caused great damage and difficulties for the country and people of Myanmar. As Vietnamese diplomatic officials in an area facing many difficulties, this time with a major natural disaster, I and the Embassy team determined to have a steadfast mindset; thoroughly grasp the policies of the Party and State; the direction of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, the leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, closely coordinate with units within the Ministry and domestic agencies.

From 2020 to present, Myanmar has experienced three major events that have had a comprehensive impact on the host country, the Diplomatic Corps and the Embassy, ​​namely the Covid-19 pandemic, political changes and earthquakes and natural disasters.

In addition to political and foreign affairs tasks, citizen protection is always a focus of the mission. The Embassy has carried out this task with the highest sense of responsibility, dedication and devotion to citizens and businesses.

Over the years, the Embassy and I have always kept abreast of the community and business situation whenever there are political and social changes. At the same time, the Embassy has tried its best to resolve the regular requests of citizens; protect national interests, business interests and the legitimate rights and interests of citizens; and thoroughly handle cases of law violations. For crisis events, the Embassy has also promptly and urgently handled them.

The results of the citizen protection work of the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar in recent years are partly reflected in the "telling" numbers: Evacuating 1,962 citizens trapped during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-2021; urgently and safely evacuating 1,399 citizens trapped in fighting in Laukkai town, Shan state in 2023; and currently continuing to urgently coordinate to resolve the repatriation of 680 people being detained in Kayin state on the border between Myanmar and Thailand.

Thank you for sharing, Ambassador!

From right to left: First Secretary Nguyen Cong Son and First Secretary Nguyen Xuan Loc of the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar work with local authorities about a Vietnamese citizen detained in Kayin State, Myanmar on March 27.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-ly-quoc-tuan-tan-tam-tan-luc-bao-ho-cong-dan-viet-nam-sau-dong-dat-tai-myanmar-309641.html