Vietnam may allow international flights from December 15

Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has announced international flights could start to operate from December 15.

Vietnam.- The government of Vietnam is close to allowing the return of foreign tourists on international flights. The Ministry of Transport hinted that international flights on nine routes could resume from December 15.

According to local media reports, the first phase will see flights between Vietnam and San Francisco or Los Angeles, Singapore, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane (Laos), Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei. The ministry said these markets are the most important in terms of political and economic relations and that there will be four flights per week on each route in each direction.

The second phase will start in January, adding routes between Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney and Moscow. The phase will last for one month and it is estimated to see around 160,000 people arrivals in Vietnam.

the government is keen to allow vaccinated tourists to visit the country to help the tourism and gaming sectors. According to Reuters, in 2020 the tally of foreign visitors to Vietnam was down 79 per cent from 18 million to 3.8 million when compared to pre-pandemic levels. Revenue was US$31bn. 

The majority of Vietnam casinos only allow foreigners to gamble. As a result, revenues have been deeply affected by Covid-19 countermeasures.

The province of Quang Nam, one of the major tourist destinations in Vietnam, has said it is ready to accept tourists, and the Hoiana club resort will be one of the locations to host international guests.