Vietnam on Saturday condemned a bomb blast that killed three and injured ten Vietnamese in Cairo, demanding that Egypt soon opens a probe into the act of terror.

A roadside bomb blast hit a tour bus carrying 14 Vietnamese and an Egyptian guide on Friday, less than 4km from Egypt’s world-famous Giza pyramids. The blast killed three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide, while injured the other ten passengers.

Vietnam vehemently condemns such an act of terror and demands that Egypt investigate to find and punish those responsible for the attack, Le Thi Thu Hang, spokesperson of the Vietnamese foreign ministry, said on Saturday afternoon.

Hang added that Vietnam appreciates the Egyptian government and people’s efforts in providing medical treatment and protection for affected Vietnamese citizens.

“Vietnam calls on governments and people of countries to show solidarity against terrorism” to build a peaceful life and ensure safe travel for civilians around the world, Hang underlined.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has extended his condolences to families of the victims, according to the spokesperson.

The premier has asked the foreign ministry to employ immediate measures needed to protect Vietnamese citizens in Egypt, as well as to provide support to the victims. PM Phuc also demanded that Egyptian authorities create favor conditions for families of the victims to travel to Cairo.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Tran Thanh Cong visits victims of a deadly bomb blast in Cairo on December 29, 2018. Photo: Vietnamese foreign ministry

Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Tran Thanh Cong has visited the site of the blast as well as the Al Haram Hospital in Cairo to check on the Vietnamese victims being treated there.

The ambassador has also established contact with the Egyptian tourism minister and health ministry to request assistance for the victims and support in repatriating them safely as soon as possible.

The Vietnamese foreign ministry has requested that the Egyptian Embassy in Vietnam grant urgent visas to families of the victims to visit their closed ones in Cairo, as well as work closely with parties involved to protect the victims’ legal rights.

The foreign ministry has also instructed the Vietnamese Embassy in Cairo to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with local authorities to protect Vietnamese citizens.

The Vietnamese tourists were on their last day of the Egypt package organized by Ho Chi Minh City-based travel firm Saigontourist.