National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced the suspension of its services between Vietnam and Russia, Taiwan (China) from March 19 given the complication of the Covid-19 pandemic and recent entry restrictions between countries.

A Vietnam Airlines plane. Photo: VNA

The earliest flights to be cancelled include VN63 from Hanoi to Moscow and VN570 from Ho Chi Minh City to Taipei. Flights to/from Russia and Taiwan will be suspended until further notice from the competent authorities, the airline said on Wednesday evening.

Vietnam Airlines will waive conditions and fees for itinerary or flight date changes for all passengers flying between Vietnam and Russia or Taiwan whose travel is affected by these suspensions from the March 19 until further notice, it added.

Vietnam Airlines will resume operation of the two routes upon receiving updated rulings from authorities.

The carrier a day earlier suspended all flights to and from France and Malaysia.

Budget carrier VietJet has also announced it will halt all flights from Vietnam to five regional countries namely Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia starting Friday.

To curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has taken tough measures, including the stoppage of visa issuance for all foreigners starting March 17 and mandatory 14-day quarantine for passengers coming from pandemic-hit countries.