The Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia has instructed some 60 Vietnamese citizens stuck in the Indonesian island of Bali to leave dangerous areas near Mount Agung, due to volcanic eruption, stated the Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.

Vietnamese tourists at Ngurah Rai airport in Bali 

At the ministry’s regular press conference on November 30, Hang said that after receiving the warning from Indonesian authorities of the eruption of volcano Agung, the embassy has updated information from the media and the Internet, while setting up a hotline to receive and respond to requests from Vietnamese citizens and tourists in Bali. 

The embassy has also asked for locals’ support in the work.

Currently, the Government of Indonesia has downgraded the warning from “red” to “orange”, the third out of total four alert levels. The international airport in Bali has also been re-opened, allowing some airlines to resume operation in the area.

However, due to developments of Mount Agung, the embassy will continue keep a close watch on the situation. It recommended Vietnamese tourists not to visit Bali until the Indonesian Government downgrades the alert level.

The embassy has also assigned officials to operate the hotline and make plans to send officials and vehicles to assist the Vietnamese citizens in Bali in case the volcano re- erupts.

According to estimations of the Bali hotel association, about 800-1,200 Vietnamese tourists visit the island each month.-VNA