Vietnam reopens international flights with 5 countries and territories

Specifically, with Japan, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has granted flight permits to Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and All Nippons Airways. The first flight of Vietnam Airlines is on January 5, 2022, Vietjet Air and All Nippons Airways on January 6, 2022. Flights from Japan cannot be deployed early from January 1 because Japanese agencies are closed for the New Year holiday, passengers cannot be tested for Covid-19 according to regulations.

Taiwan (China) agreed to resume flights but proposed to increase the frequency for each side to a minimum of 5 flights/week. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has granted flights to Taipei to Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways.

Singapore has agreed to resume international flights to Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines will operate this route with a frequency of 2 flights/week and Vietjet Air with 1 flight/week. For the route to Cambodia, the Department has granted Vietnam Airlines 4 flights/week.

Previously, the Civil Aviation Authority sent documents and discussed the resumption of regular two-way passenger flights with 9 countries and territories that the Government has agreed to reopen in phase 1, starting from January 1, 2022, including: Japan, South Korea, Taipei (Taiwan), China, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos. However, so far, Vietnam has only received written consent from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Cambodia.

As for the US, only Vietnam Airlines is operating and has been licensed by the aviation authorities of both countries for regular operations, so there is no need for exchange, the airline can immediately deploy the flight as planned. The airline has opened ticket sales and is expected to fly the Ho Chi Minh City - San Francisco flight on January 9, 2022.

So far, only Laos and China have not responded, and Thailand has requested to continue discussions on resuming flights.

Khanh Ha