Vietnam urges people to work from home to save fuel as Iran war disrupts supplies

Hanoi: Vietnam's trade ministry has called ​on local businesses to ​encourage their employees to work from ​home as part of efforts to save on fuel amid supply disruptions and price surges triggered by the Iran ‌war.

Vietnam has ⁠been ⁠among the countries hardest hit by fuel disruptions since ​the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began, being heavily reliant on ​energy imports from the Middle East, the government said in a statement on Tuesday, citing ​a report from the Ministry of ⁠Industry and ‌Trade.

Businesses need to "encourage work-from-home ​when possibleto ​reduce the need for travel and ⁠transportation," the statement said. Prices for gasoline in ​the Southeast Asian country haverisen by ​32%, diesel by 56% and kerosene by 80% since the end oflast month, according to data from top fuel trader Petrolimex. Long lines of cars and motorbikes were seen queuing ‌atpetrol stations in capital Hanoi on Tuesday. The ministry also calls on businesses ​and individuals ​notto hoard ⁠or speculate on fuel, according to the statement. Prime Minister Pham Minh Minh made phone calls on Mondayto ​his counterparts in Kuwait, Qatar and UAE to secure suppliesof fuels and crude oil. Vietnam on Monday decided to remove import tariffs onfuels, effective until the end of April.