Vietnam to reopen all international air routes soon

There are favourable conditions for reopening all international air routes ahead of the April 30 schedule, according to an official of the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport.

Vietnamese people residing abroad are booking airfares for trips back to hometowns in Vietnam to celebrate the traditional lunar New Year holiday with their family.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong said at a press briefing on January 28 that Vietnam has so far resumed 10 international air routes to mostly receive back Vietnamese expatriates for the coming lunar New Year holiday.

“The Ministry of Transport earlier proposed resuming all international air routes by the end of April or the beginning of May 2022. However, the plan is likely to be carried out earlier than scheduled due to the progress of COVID-19 vaccination, including the launch of the spring vaccination campaign,” revealed Dong.

He said that the health sector must have general guidelines which are consistent with those of countries with air connections.

He went on to say the Ministry of Transport will review the conditions for reopening international routes and submit a report to the Government. Transport options will also be discussed with the aviation authorities of other countries.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has licensed major airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air and Pacific Airlines to conduct regular international flights from Vietnam to Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Taipei (Taiwan-China), Beijing/Guangzhou (China), San Francisco/Los Angeles (USA), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), London (UK), and Frankfurt (Germany).

Passengers who have received full doses of vaccines are required to have a certificate of negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 at least 72 hours before departure. They must present either their vaccine passports or a certificate of COVID-19 recovery in line with guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health. They are required to undergo a three-day quarantine at their place of residence upon arrival.