Consular Support for EU Citizens in Vietnam

Consular protection for EU citizens in Vietnam 

Consular protection is the support a European Union (EU) Member State can provide to its citizens in case they need assistance abroad. Typically, consular protection may include cases such as:

• A need for an emergency travel document (see the section below) in case the passport is lost or stolen;
• A serious accident or serious illness;
• Relief and repatriation in case of an emergency;
• Being a victim of crime;
• Arrest or detention;
• Death.

You are an EU citizen in need of consular protection in the Vietnam?

Nationals of the EU Member States in need of consular protection in Vietnam should contact the Embassies or Consulates of their respective countries.

EU citizens in need of consular protection in Vietnam with no embassy or consulate from their own Member State effectively in a position to help them are entitled to seek help from the embassy or consulate of any other EU Member State. 

In Vietnam, there are 19 EU Member States resident embassies. The list of Emergency Contacts at EU Member State Embassies and Consulates accredited to Vietnam can be found here.

Please note that the EU Delegation to Vietnam cannot provide direct consular assistance. EU Member States cooperate closely locally on consular protection matters through a constant exchange of information, crisis preparedness and collective action when needed in case of a consular crisis such as natural disasters. The EU Delegation assists actively in this cooperation. 

As an EU citizen, you can take simple steps to make consular protection more effective, for example:

• Following the travel advice issued by your country’s Foreign Ministry;

• When abroad, registering with your Embassy or Consulate and/or through dedicated platforms, if applicable;

• Other tips include keeping an electronic copy of your travel documents, subscribing to a travel insurance or saving crisis contact details.

EU citizens whose passport or travel document has been lost, stolen or destroyed in a country outside the EU where their own EU Member State does not have an embassy or consulate are entitled to receive an EU Emergency Travel Document from any other EU Member State located in that country.

The EU Emergency Travel Document is issued for a single journey to the holder’s EU Member State of nationality or residence, or exceptionally, to another destination (such as a neighbouring country with an embassy or consulate of the holder).

The EU Emergency Travel Document is valid for a bit longer than the period required for completion of the journey for which it is issued. Normally, the validity will not exceed 15 calendar days. Persons receiving an EU Emergency Travel Document are strongly encouraged to complete the journey as quickly as possible, to follow any advice given by the consulate or embassy regarding the best route, and to immediately apply for a normal travel document. The EU Emergency Travel Document must be returned after arrival at the final destination.

EU citizens in need of an EU Emergency Travel Document must apply at the embassy or consulate of an EU Member State. The EU Emergency Travel Document will be issued after a verification of the applicant’s nationality and identity by the unrepresented EU citizen’s Member State of nationality. In normal cases, the issuance should not take longer than seven working days.

Member States may also choose to issue the EU Emergency Travel Document to other persons, such as their own nationals or EU citizens’ family members who already live in the EU. If an EU Emergency Travel Document is issued to a person who is not an EU citizen, a visa may be necessary.

For more information on consular protection, see the dedicated pages on the websites of the EEAS, the European Commission and the Council of the EU and the Directive on EU Emergency Travel Document.