"Han-Vietnam Commercial Flight Routes Resume from the 25th" (Comprehensive)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea Nguyen Attends FKI Business Meeting
Discusses Simplification of Immigration Procedures

Nguyen Vu Tung, Ambassador of Vietnam to Korea (left), is delivering a keynote speech on the theme "Korea-Vietnam Economic Cooperation Partners in the New Normal" at the "Business Breakfast Meeting with the Ambassador of Vietnam to Korea" held on the 23rd at the Conference Center of the Federation of Korean Industries Building in Yeouido, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Nguyen Vu Tung, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea, announced on the 23rd that commercial flight routes between Korea and Vietnam, which had been restricted due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will resume operations starting from the 25th.

At a business breakfast meeting hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries on the same day, Ambassador Nguyen said, "Korea and Vietnam have been recognized globally for their effective response to COVID-19, and we expect the relationship between the two countries to develop further after the pandemic."

He continued, "Now is a very necessary time for Vietnam to resume commercial routes," adding, "We plan to soon resume Vietnam's commercial flights, ease quarantine measures, and provide fast-track procedures for investors entering Vietnam." Earlier, on the 17th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to discuss institutionalizing special entry procedures between the two countries.

Ambassador Nguyen stated, "Vietnam Airlines plans to operate a pilot service on the Incheon International Airport to Hanoi International Airport route starting from the 25th." The two countries plan to run trial flights every Thursday night from Hanoi to Incheon and every Friday morning from Incheon to Hanoi.

He further mentioned, "We will resume routes including Tokyo, Japan, and after Cambodia and Laos, we plan to reopen the Bangkok route as well," adding, "Although the airlines operating the resumed flights have not been finalized, Asiana Airlines and Vietnam Airlines are expected to operate two flights per week."

Regarding the easing of Vietnam's entry restrictions, Ambassador Nguyen explained, "Regulations for diplomats, investors, managers, university students, and Vietnamese relatives are under discussion for relaxation," and added, "If a company provides a guarantee, the quarantine period will be reduced from 14 days to 6 days, and after a negative COVID-19 test upon entry, a second test will be conducted after 6 days." Concerning entry requirements, he added, "For visits intended to stay 24 days or longer, a health check, a negative COVID-19 test certificate, and a visa must be obtained. Visa issuance requires a negative COVID-19 test certificate, the address of the self-quarantine location, and a company guarantee."

The meeting was attended by 24 representatives from related companies and institutions, including Kwon Tae-shin, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries; Choi Young-joo, President of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association; Kim Jung-soo, CEO of Ilsin Spinning; Lee Sang-gi, Head of GS Construction Infrastructure Division; Oh Kyung-seok, CEO of Panco; as well as representatives from Lotte Holdings, SK, Hyundai Motor, POSCO, Korean Air, Doosan Heavy Industries, Hanwha Life Insurance, KB Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank, law firms Yulchon and Kim & Chang.

At the meeting, major corporate attendees requested not only improvements such as the resumption of commercial flight routes and Vietnam entry and exit procedures for Korean businesspeople but also ▲the abolition and relaxation of dyeing and processing regulations in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam ▲consideration of Vietnamese government subsidies for the Ho Chi Minh Metro public-private partnership (PPP) project and support for private investor participation.