HANOI, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese citizens should not travel to Maldives because the island country declared a 15-day state of emergency starting from Monday night due to a political crisis, the Consular Department under the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned on Tuesday.

Those who are visiting, studying or working in Maldives should avoid crowded and sensitive places in the country. Vietnamese citizens can travel to the Maldives after its government announces an end to the state of emergency.

Maldives has been facing days of unrest after its Supreme Court issued a ruling last week to release top opposition political leaders, including former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.