Based on the review and evaluation of the Covid-19 situation in a number of countries/territories and in Vietnam, the Vietnamese government would approve a plan to reopen air services to some Asian countries from mid-July.

The government would approve a plan to reopen air services to some Asian countries from mid-July. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam will pilot reopening some international routes, with frequencies from one to two flights per week to Guangzhou (China), Taiwan (China), Seoul (South Korea), and Tokyo (Japan). 

The airports of landing and takeoff in Vietnam would be Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi); Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City); and Danang International Airport.

Based on the assessment of the air service reopening, the government will promptly adjust the frequency of flights; continue researching and proposing resuming air services to other places in Asia depending on the situation of the disease and bilateral agreements with those countries.

Passengers of those flights would be the priority subjects including: Vietnamese citizens; foreigners who are experts, investors, business managers, skilled workers, those traveling with diplomatic, government and family purposes; and some other special cases. 

Passengers on entry must comply with quarantine measures issued by Vietnam's Ministry of Health.

In order to enter Vietnam, before booking commercial flights tickets, foreign citizens need to contact their sponsoring agency in Vietnam to carry out the procedures for entry permit at the Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security, and ensure the isolation plan according to current regulations. 

After obtaining an entry permit issued by the Ministry of Public Security, foreign citizens need to proceed to their respective sponsoring agency in Vietnam to complete the visa procedures.

At a cabinet meeting on July 10, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ambassadors, Vietnam’s representative agencies in foreign countries continue to work with the host governments to increase the number of emergency flights and operate more commercial flights to bring home Vietnamese citizens, investors and experts, and also send Vietnamese workers to work abroad.

Expansion of quarantine areas

Emphasizing the need to increase flights to some destinations such as Tokyo (Japan); Seoul (South Korea); Guangzhou, Taiwan (China); Vientiane (Laos); Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Prime Minister Phuc required Ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Health, and Transport to discuss details, in order to quickly and smoothly expand isolation facilities, and notify the public about the reopening of  international air routes. 

Regarding isolation areas, the prime minister requested a plan to expand concentrated facilities and flexible quarantine at army and police hotels, guest houses, military barracks for at least 10,000 people. 

In addition to the military isolation sites, the prime minister requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, authorities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to get quarantine places ready.

In addition to standardizing the procedures for inviting and welcoming guests to Vietnam, the prime minister asked the Ministry of Defense to continue coordinating with Ministry of Health; Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to receive and monitor Vietnamese people under paid quarantine at hotels, avoiding cross-contamination in the community.

The prime minister also agreed to establish safe areas at some border gates that serve foreigners who come to Vietnam for business negotiations and contract signing.