<p>HANOI, March 16 (Reuters) - Vietnam has asked Japan and South Korea to help increase its access to crude oil amid global supply disruption triggered by the Iran war, its trade ministry said on Monday.</p>
<p>Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long made the requests on the sideline of an energy security summit in Tokyo over the weekend, the ministry said in a statement.</p>
<ul>
<li>Vietnam has two oil refineries that meet about 70% of its fuel needs. Much of the crude oil they process is sourced from the Middle East.</li>
<li>Long has “requested that Japan, given its important role and large crude oil reserves, support Vietnam in searching for and accessing crude oil sources to meet domestic needs,” the statement said following his meeting with Matsuo Takehiko, Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.</li>
<li>Long also discussed with Matsuo measures to boost Japanese investment in liquified natural gas and nuclear power in Vietnam, the statement said.</li>
<li>At his meeting with South Korea’s industry minister Kim Jung-Kwan, Long also requested South Korea’s support in helping Vietnam access crude oil sources, according to the statement.</li>
<li>Vietnam imported 14.2 million tons of crude oil last year, up 5.3%, according to the government’s customs data.</li>
</ul>

Vietnam asks Japan, South Korea for help in crude oil access