Korea Airports Corporation Discusses Aviation Cooperation with Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea

Korea Airports Corporation announced on the 13th that it visited the Embassy of Vietnam in Seoul’s Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu to discuss cooperation measures in the aviation sector between the two countries in the post-COVID-19 era.

The meeting was attended by Yoon Hyung-jung, President of Korea Airports Corporation, Nguyen Vu Tung, Ambassador of Vietnam to Korea, Vietnamese counselors and investment officers, as well as heads of Korean branches of Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines. They exchanged views on the resumption of air routes, airport development projects, and urban air mobility (UAM) sectors.

Both sides agreed that the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Vietnam marks the beginning of a new era of more mature mutual cooperation and exchange. Taking advantage of the ‘2023~2024 Visit Korea Year,’ they agreed to actively cooperate to open direct flights from regional airports in addition to existing routes to Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, and to revitalize these routes.

President Yoon introduced the corporation’s capabilities in overseas airport development and consulting projects and expressed willingness to cooperate on the Long Thanh New Airport development project and the Noi Bai Airport expansion project in Vietnam. He also explained the current status of the corporation’s UAM business, which will be the foundation of future air transportation, and suggested ways to utilize it in Vietnam.

Yoon Hyung-jung, President of Korea Airports Corporation (left), and Nguyen Vu Tung, Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea, are discussing cooperation to attract new air routes between the two countries. Photo by Korea Airports Corporation

Ambassador Nguyen said, “Vietnam has become so familiar with Korean culture that Korean is adopted as the first foreign language in daily life,” and requested interest and participation in various airport construction projects such as Long Thanh New Airport. He also expressed full agreement on the necessity of opening routes between regional cities of the two countries and promised active support through diplomatic channels.

President Yoon said, “The corporation will strive to achieve ‘Beyond 2019,’ surpassing the pre-COVID-19 era, by expanding and revitalizing direct Korea-Vietnam routes and cooperating in various fields such as airport development projects in Vietnam through close collaboration with the Embassy of Vietnam in Korea and airlines.”

Earlier, President Yoon held successive meetings with ambassadors from China, Indonesia, and Taiwan to continue marketing efforts for aviation demand recovery through diplomatic channels. The corporation is making every effort to attract inbound passengers and revitalize aviation demand in cooperation with government ministries and related organizations.