Passengers onboard the VN417 flight from Incheon International Airport in Seoul were Vietnamese citizens and South Korean investors.

A man arriving from South Korea to Hanoi has his papers checked at Noi Bai Airport, September 25, 2020.

All passengers furnished a certificate confirming they had tested negative for the novel coronavirus via real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method three days prior to boarding the flight. Each supplied quarantine registration papers for Vietnam and installed Bluezone, a Bluetooth-based app that helps determine if a person has come into close contact with a Covid-19 patient, Vietnam Airlines stated.

This was the first flight permitted by aviation authorities to allow foreign passengers entry to Vietnam since the government last week greenlighted the resumption of commercial flights to seven Asian destinations, including South Korea.

South Korea was the fifth biggest investor in Vietnam in the first half of the year with registered capital of nearly $545 million. South Korean businesses operate more than 8,000 projects locally, account for 30 percent of Vietnam’s total exports, and provide more than 700,000 jobs, according to official statistics.

Vo Huy Cuong, deputy head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, said the flight served to assess the country’s capability to receive international passengers.

On arrival, all passengers were to be tested for Covid-19 twice via RT-PCR method as per health ministry protocol, paid for by themselves.

All had their samples taken for initial testing upon landing in Vietnam. Each would be screened again six days later.

Those testing positive for the novel coronavirus will be admitted to medical centers for treatment; while those reporting negative results twice can switch from centralized quarantine camps to isolation at home or their place of work or a hotel until they complete the 14-day quarantine under supervision of local authorities.

Though the government allowed the resumption of commercial flights, foreign tourists have yet to be allowed back into the country.

The only foreigners currently allowed entry are those carrying diplomatic or official passports, experts, managers, high-skilled workers, and investors, their family members, international students, and family members of Vietnamese citizens.

Vietnam suspended all international flights on March 25.

It has recorded 1,069 Covid-19 cases, 40 of which remain active. The country has gone over two weeks without domestic infections of the novel coronavirus.

International commercial flights resumed from September 15

Regular international commercial flights between Vietnam and several countries have been resumed from September 15, as approved by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Vietnam yet to resume international flights

The Ministry of Transport said Vietnam would not resume regular commercial flights internationally starting Tuesday, despite earlier suggestions to do so.

Vietnam Airlines resumes int’l flights from September 18

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will resume international flights by conducting one-way flights linking Vietnam and Japan from September 18, following suspension caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vietnam requires seven-day centralized quarantine for foreigners as it resumes flights

Some foreigners entering Vietnam on commercial flights resumed this month will be required to undergo centralized quarantine from five to seven days.

Vietnam works to ensure safety in anticipation of resumption of int'l flights

The National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on September 9 discussed how to ensure safety as the country is about to resume certain international flights from September 15.

Source: VnExpress