Recently, the media has published many articles about the risk of tsunamis along Vietnam’s coastline, spreading much fear of such a natural disaster.

In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Mr Xuyen said there is no scientific basis to the assertion that Vietnam’s coastal areas face a high risk of tsunamis.

He said that the July 17 earthquake in Indonesia did not affect Vietnam due to its distance. Tsunamis caused by strong earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean do not threaten the Vietnamese coastline as it is protected by islands, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Prof. Xuyen also noted that at present there are potential tsunami sources in the East Sea, but they will cause no harm to Vietnam.