Vietnam plans to resume flights with China, South Korea, and Japan.

Vietnam has suspended international flights for the past three months due to concerns about the spread of the disease through incoming travelers. This is a common situation in countries around the world. Currently, the pandemic is somewhat under control, and Vietnam is planning to resume flights to facilitate economic recovery.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said that, based on the situation and needs of both sides, Vietnam is in discussions with several countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan, ensuring compliance with disease prevention measures under specific conditions, and preventing the spread of the disease. "The immediate priority is to facilitate the return of experts and managers from these countries to Vietnam for work, and for Vietnamese trainees and workers to go to these countries for work," Ms. Hang emphasized.

If the situation stabilizes, Vietnam may plan to welcome delegations from other countries in the near future. Japan, South Korea, and China are three of Vietnam's economic and tourism partners. These countries also currently employ a large number of Vietnamese workers. Close economic ties are one of the bases for considering reopening air routes.

In early June, the Japanese government also announced it would ease travel restrictions with Vietnam – one of the countries that has controlled the pandemic best in the world. The first flight of this reconnection was a chartered flight of 250 seats for business travel purposes.

Besides the three main markets of China, South Korea, and Japan, Vietnam is also considering resuming commercial flights to a number of countries and territories that have basically controlled the epidemic and have extensive multifaceted relations with Vietnam.

Currently, Asia is at risk of a second wave of the pandemic following the discovery of a new outbreak in Beijing and the escalating tensions in Indonesia and the Philippines in recent days. Vietnam is also gradually resuming flights to bring its citizens home, preparing to combat the disease should the situation worsen.

My Tong