Hanoi (VNA) – Economic and transportation experts have agreed that it is high time for Vietnam to reopen international flight routes, and have given their suggestions on how the international flights should be managed post-pandemic, at a webinar on November 10.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) recently submitted to the Prime Minister a plan on the resumption of regular international flights with the aim of helping tackle difficulties facing airlines, promoting economic recovery, and reviving the tourism industry.

Addressing the event, titled “How to reopen international flights safely”, Vo Huy Cuong, deputy head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), said that it has been two years since Vietnam halted international flights. “But as countries around the world are opening flights, Vietnam cannot be left out,” Cuong added.

“The current Ministry of Transport’s plan to reopen regular international flights is realistic and has used other countries’ experiences,” claimed Cuong. He also suggested that the aviation industry continue repatriation flights so as to rebuild the trust of international guests.

“Reopening flights is crucial after a long time of closure,” said Nguyen Quang Trung, head of the Planning & Development Department of Vietnam Airlines. Trung commented the CAAV’s flight reopening roadmap reported to the MoT is appropriate, and that airlines should prioritise flights from countries with good COVID-19 control, such as the Republic of Korea, Japan and the US.

“Vietnam will offer full support for international guests with vaccine passports,” said CAAV's deputy head Cuong. He also said vaccine passports were one of the most important conditions for international flights to commence, and that Vietnam was actively working with international organisations to build a common standard and software for vaccine passports that will be recognised by other countries.

In airport management, Nguyen Thị Kim Ngan, deputy director of Noi Bai International Airport, said that Noi Bai is always ready to reopen. The airport and its employees will do their best to ensure a safe environment for guests.

“The fear of foreign guests causing outbreaks after their entry is an overreaction,” said economic expert Tran Tho Dat. He said the reopening of flights is reasonable, and that since international guests are vaccinated and tested safely, they will not “overload hospitals” like some fear.

Trung from Vietnam Airlines suggested that the Government reconsider the 7-day quarantine rule, since it could discourage tourists. “Vietnam Airlines suggests that fully vaccinated tourists in safe countries, with negative test results pre- and post-flight, should be quarantined for only one day,” said Trung.

Sharing the same view, CAAV's deputy head Cuong noted entry and quarantine rules receive the most attention now. The current policy of seven days of concentrated quarantine and then another seven days of home quarantine can attract only overseas Vietnamese wishing to return home, and it needs changes so as to attract foreign tourists.

Cuong said the biggest obstacle now is the rules on health quarantine, adding that the shift from “zero COVID-19” to “flexibly living with COVID-19” is a very important change.

Talking about tourism, Deputy Chief of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Le Phuc said that the industry is ready to welcome tourists and rebuild. It is planning to reopen to international tourism and will look to collaborate with other government agencies in making tourism safe.

On November 8, Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan proposed to the Prime Minister on reopening regular international flights.

The ministry recommends that, in order to reopen international flights, guests entering Vietnam should have negative PCR tests, and must make health declarations at destination airports.

Regular international flights to Vietnam will resume in three phases. Phase One, from the first quarter of 2022, will include flights without guest approval, except circumstances when medical control is needed. Phase Two will organise regular flights for guests with “vaccine passports” from the second quarter of 2022. These guests will not be put into quarantine centres. Phase Three, starting from 2022’s third quarter, will see regular international flights, depending on the pandemic and vaccine situation. Flight frequency will be determined by airlines./.