The flight VN417 carrying 63 passengers departed from Incheon International Airport in Seoul. Nguyen Huy Duc, head of Vietnam Airlines' branch in the Republic of Korea (RoK), said Vietnam Airlines is the first Vietnamese carrier to resume regular flights between the two countries. There is high demand for returning to the homeland, especially when Tet (Lunar New Year) is approaching, he said.
In the beginning stage, Vietnam Airlines will operate two flights per week between Seoul and Hanoi but the carrier is ready to add more flights if permitted.
To ensure the safety of the flights, the airline always strictly adheres to regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control, he said. Pham Thi Luong, a passenger on the flight, said she was glad to return to Vietnam after two years. It was easy to buy the ticket and complete necessary procedures so people feel secure to come back to the homeland for reunion with their relatives on the Tet holidays, she said.
The flight is part of a plan to restore regular international flights with a high safety level, starting from January 1, 2022, which has been approved by the Government. This policy aims to restore international passenger transport activities, promoting economic recovery and tourism as well as creating conditions for Vietnamese citizens to return home to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
