Nation to pilot reopening of nine international routes

Cuong revealed that during the initial phase, the nation will resume nine international routes to traditional markets such as Beijing/Guangzhou, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, and San Francisco/Los Angeles.

During the second phase, along with these nine markets, the transport sector proposes reopening additional routes both to/from Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong (China), Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney, and Moscow.

Based on evaluation relating to the implementation of the two pilot phases and pandemic containments efforts, the CAAV will propose increasing the frequency of flights.

Priority will duly be given to fully-vaccinated arrivals or those who record a negative RT-PCR test, said Cuong, adding that the move will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese people abroad who wish to return home to visit their relatives at the end of the year.

He also pointed out that 98% of people nationwide have got their first COVID-19 dose, while there is high rate of people receiving two jabs, noting that the reopening of international flights will facilitate travel and gradually restore normal life.

The Health Ministry of Health is expected to adopt a draft regulation on entry and quarantine rules for entrants on December 16.

Under the terms of the draft regulation, people entering the country who are fully vaccinated and have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, will be able to self-quarantine at home for three days.

Entrants who have not been fully vaccinated will be isolated at home for seven days, while people under the age of 18 and older than 65 years old, pregnant women, and people with underlying diseases will undergo quarantine with their caregivers.

Representatives of local airlines also affirmed their readiness to operate regular international flights while partnering alongside travel firms and accommodation establishments in a bid to design concrete programmes for passengers.

Hoang Ngoc Thach, commercial director of Bamboo Airways, said Vietnamese people’s travel demand overseas remains high, adding that the carrier has already reserved slots to major airports in the United States and France to meet the rising demand.

The airline has also purchased wide-body aircraft and made full preparations for the resumption of international flights in the future.

Currently, people entering the nation still have to be isolated for seven days and have their health monitored during this period, in line with regulations of the Ministry of Health.

The Government has recently agreed upon a plan to restore regular international passenger flights to countries with a high safety factor as of January 1, 2022.