Vietnam is still awaiting the response of aviation authorities in several countries regarding its plan to reopen regular international air routes on January 1.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) previously sent an official document on the plan to its counterparts in Japan, South Korea, mainland China, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Taiwan on December 17.

The CAAV proposed that four flights be operated per week per route from January 1. It also mentioned pandemic prevention regulations for international arrivals in the Southeast Asian country.

Authorities in Vietnam and the U.S. have already allowed national carrier Vietnam Airlines to operate regular flights between the two nations, thus further discussion is not necessary.

After receiving the reply from Japanese authorities on December 22, the CAAV announced that Vietnam Airlines will operate three flights per week starting January 5, while Vietjet Air will carry out one flight a week starting January 6.

On December 24, Taiwan agreed to resume regular air routes to Vietnam, but suggested that the number of weekly flights increase to five from four.

On December 27, Singapore confirmed that four flights will be operated each week, including two by Vietnam Airlines, one by Vietjet Air, and one by Pacific Airlines.

Cambodian authorities agreed on December 28 that Vietnam Airlines will operate four flights per week along the route between the two countries.

Thailand has sent a document requesting that the two nations have an online discussion about the plan.

Vietnam is still waiting for the official decision of aviation authorities in South Korea, Laos, and mainland China.

The CAAV also intends to negotiate with its counterparts in France, Germany, Russia, and Australia regarding regular flights from these countries to Vietnam, which are to meet the travel demand of overseas Vietnamese ahead of the Lunar New Year festival.

The Vietnamese aviation authority has expressed concerns that the operation of regular international flights will not go according to the approved plan due to new pandemic control regulations related to the Omicron variant.

The Omicron mutant, or the B.1.1.529 variant, was first discovered in South Africa in late September and has now been reported in over 100 countries.

Vietnam detected its first-ever Omicron case on Tuesday.

Due to the pandemic, the Vietnamese government has closed borders since March 2020, with an exception for Vietnamese repatriates, foreign experts, diplomats, investors, skilled workers, and students, who are allowed to enter the Southeast Asian country if they meet strict quarantine requirements.

Recently, the country has gradually opened its borders to international visitors in a pilot scheme to revive the tourism industry, after deciding to live safely with the pathogen instead of pursuing a zero-tolerance COVID-19 approach.

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