The Vietnamese authorities are discussing with countries with a high safety factor about the resumption of regular commercial routes, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said.

Vietnam, partners are discussing about the resumption of regular air routes. Photo: Vietjet Air

The statement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesperson Hang at a regular press conference on March 11 in Hanoi when responding to the question about the proposal of some countries to set up “travel bubble” with Vietnam thanks to the country’s successful Covid-19 control.

Hang said that the consideration of resuming international flights aims to achieve the dual goal of both preventing and combating the pandemic and promoting the economic development.

National aviation authorities are discussing procedures and timing for international flight resumption with some countries and territories wishing to relaunch air services to Vietnam.    

On September 15, 2020, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh agreed with the plans to resume international flights with Taiwan (China), according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson. The aviation authorities of the two sides basically have agreed on the roadmap and procedures.

Local carriers are waiting for instructions from the aviation authorities to make specific flight plans to resume flights to Guangzhou (China).

Since last March, Vietnam has banned all international flights to prevent and control the pandemic. From last September, a number of foreign airlines have resumed air travels to Vietnam, but only for taking goods in and passengers out of the country. 

Vietnam continues to conduct repatriation flights according to the plan of the MOFA, with priority given to passengers who are in difficult circumstances, experts, high-tech workers. All incoming people must undergo quarantine for 14 days.

According to the spokesperson, the MoFA is working with Vietnamese concerned authorities and Vietnamese representative missions abroad to make adjustments to immigration regulations, in accordance with the situation.

“The reopening of the commercial air routes must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 prevention and control,” Hang said.