Vietnam and Laos have resumed air connections between them after months of suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (left) and Laotian Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith. Photo: MOFA

Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier, has operated the first commercial flight Hanoi-Vientiane on the occasion of the visit to Laos paid by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on November 29-30.

Mr. Minh visited Laos to co-chair with Laotian Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith the 7th Ministerial-level Political Consultation and boost the implementation of key joint projects between the two countries.

The two top diplomats discussed preparations for the 43rd Meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Joint Governmental Committee under the co-chair by the two countries’ prime ministers in December 2020.

The two sides discussed a wide range of issues. Photo: MOFA

During the visit to Vientiane, Mr. Pham Binh Minh and Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith signed a cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries for the 2021-2025 period.

Vietnam has planned to resume international commercial flights to several Asian countries that significantly contain the novel coronavirus.

Passengers of those flights are Vietnamese returnees, foreign investors, experts, and business executives.

As of November 30, Vietnam has reported 1,347 coronavirus cases and 35 deaths while Laos has confirmed 39 cases and zero death.

Vietnam Airlines is the only air carrier in Vietnam to operate the Hanoi-Vientiane air route. Before travel restrictions by the Covid-19 pandemic, other international air carriers namely Lao Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways also operated this air route.