[HOT] Flying During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Must-Know Information

Important Information for Flying During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Check out the latest essential information for flying during the COVID-19 pandemic compiled by Mytour.vn in the table below:

(continuously updated…)

Latest domestic flight regulations from 21/10 - 30/11/2021

The Ministry of Transport and airlines have updated the latest regulations on domestic flights from 21/10 - 30/11/2021. You can view the full and continuously updated information on the Mytour.vn website.

Stay updated on the latest domestic flight regulations at Mytour.vn

Temporary guidelines for organizing air transportation activities post-COVID-19 lockdown

On September 30, 2021, the Ministry of Transport issued Document No. 1740/QD-BGTVT providing temporary guidelines for organizing air transportation activities post-COVID-19 lockdown, officially effective from October 1, 2021. The implementation must ensure safe and reasonable adaptation based on effective COVID-19 control.

Passengers participating in air transportation must adhere to the following:

• Adhere to the Ministry of Health's '5K Message'
• Complete health declaration
• Present a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result within 72 hours (from receiving the result) using RT-PCR or antigen rapid test
• For individuals vaccinated with 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine after 3 weeks or fully vaccinated with 2 doses, or recovered from COVID-19 within 6 months, no testing is required

For the frequency of flight operations by airlines, implementation should occur in 4 stages:

• Stage 1 (maximum 10 days from 1/10/2021): The frequency of each airline's flights must not exceed 50% compared to the first 10 days' average of April 2021 for that airline and mandatory seat distancing on the aircraft.
• Stage 2 (maximum 10 days after the end of Stage 1): The frequency of each airline's flights must not exceed 70% compared to the first 10 days' average of April 2021 for that airline and no seat distancing on the aircraft is required.
• Stage 3 (implemented after the end of Stage 2): The frequency of each airline's flights must not exceed the first 10 days' average of April 2021 for that airline and no seat distancing on the aircraft is required.
• Stage 4 (in the new normal state): Flight frequency resumes to normal

However, if any routes had a frequency of 1 flight per day before the pandemic, during Stages 1 and 2, they will continue to operate at that frequency. And seat distancing on aircraft will be implemented during Stage 1.

Health declaration when flying during the COVID-19 pandemic

Health declaration when flying during the COVID-19 pandemic is mandatory

Since August 2020, all passengers when flying are required to complete mandatory health declarations. Methods of health declaration when flying during the pandemic include:

• Method 1: Electronic health declaration via the website tokhaiyte.vn
• Method 2: Health declaration via the Vietnam Health Declaration app/Health Declaration Form
• Method 3: Health declaration via the NCOVI app of the Ministry of Health
• Method 4: Health declaration at the airport

Domestic flight information during the pandemic

Passengers purchasing domestic flight tickets during the COVID-19 outbreak should note:

[Update] Starting from 7/8/2021, all flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) are temporarily suspended until further notice.

[Update] Starting from 2/8/2021, Vietnam Airlines operates only one daily flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City at 1:00 PM.

[Update] Bamboo Airways announces that the route between Hanoi and Da Nang will temporarily cease operations from 24/07/2021 to 31/07/2021 or until further notice.

[Update] According to a document issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam on the afternoon of 21/07/2021 regarding the maximum restriction on flights from southern provinces implementing social distancing under Directive 16 to Hanoi:

- Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Route: Only 2 round-trip flights per day, operated by Vietnam Airlines.

- Hanoi - Can Tho/Phu Quoc Routes: Operations temporarily suspended.

Effective Period: From 0h on July 22, 2021 until further notice.

According to the directive from the Civil Aviation Authority dated July 8, 2021, domestic flights during the COVID-19 pandemic are adjusted to fit the situation as follows:

- Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Route: Maximum total seats available for sale per day is 1700/seat. Specifically, Vietnam Airlines operates 700 seats/day; Pacific Airlines 200 seats/day; Bamboo Airways and Vietjet Air each 400 seats/day.

- Routes between Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Quy Nhon/Buon Ma Thuot/Nha Trang/Da Nang: Each airline operates 1 flight/day/route with a maximum of 200 seats/flight.

- Extra flights, especially those to/from Ho Chi Minh City, will be considered based on requests from the relevant provincial authorities.

The effective period of this directive is from 00h00 on July 9, 2021, until the end of August 1, 2021.

Information about domestic flights during the pandemic

Additionally, the suspension of 10 routes between Ho Chi Minh City and Van Don/Hai Phong/Thanh Hoa/Vinh/Pleiku/Da Lat/Hue/Dong Hoi/Chu Lai/Phu Quoc will continue until the outbreak is under control.

From 0h on July 19, 2021, until the end of August 1, 2021, domestic routes to the South will be temporarily suspended, maintaining only a few essential routes such as Hanoi - Phu Quoc/Can Tho, Saigon - Hanoi/Da Nang/Nha Trang/Buon Ma Thuot/Quy Nhon.

Flight schedules for domestic routes are regularly updated by Mytour to accommodate passengers' travel needs.

Information about international flights during the pandemic

During the period from April to June 2021, Vietnam Airlines gradually resumed some international flights during the COVID-19 pandemic from Vietnam to Seoul (South Korea), Tokyo (Japan), and Sydney (Australia) to serve the needs of international students, workers requiring continued education and work abroad, as well as foreign experts working in Vietnam.

Information about international flights during the pandemic

At present, many countries have implemented widespread COVID-19 vaccination for their citizens and gradually experimented with opening policies. Accordingly, VNA has also added more international flight schedules and has schedules for both inbound and outbound flights between Vietnam and international destinations.

From July to October 2021, Vietnam Airlines plans to resume flights between Vietnam and several cities in Asia, Europe, and the Pacific. Specifically:

Projected international flight schedule of Vietnam Airlines

To provide a comfortable and convenient experience for passengers, especially on long-haul routes, Vietnam Airlines' international flights are operated using the most modern wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.

When flying internationally during the pandemic, passengers should note:

• Mandatory health declaration for both departure and entry into Vietnam
• Proactively refer to and prepare all required immigration documents according to the regulations of the destination country on the official IATA website at https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php
• If denied entry, the airline will not be responsible, and passengers must bear all related expenses themselves.

Before purchasing international flight tickets, it's advisable to review the specific entry regulations of the destination country. The table below outlines the current entry requirements of some countries worldwide:

Entry regulations of select countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

(Source: Vietnam Airlines)

Implementation of the trial application of the IATA Travel Pass electronic health passport

The implementation of the IATA Travel Pass electronic health passport opens up international travel opportunities for passengers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing features to authenticate electronic health certificates, the IATA Travel Pass ensures that passengers meet all COVID-19-related requirements for vaccination, testing, etc., as well as specific entry requirements of the destination country.

Implementation of the IATA Travel Pass electronic health passport

The electronic health passport has been positively evaluated by over 70 countries and more than 20 airlines are participating in trials. In Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air are initially testing this application on select flights.

Safety standards of airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic

Domestic airlines including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, and Vietravel Airlines have implemented preventive measures to ensure passenger safety during air travel amidst the pandemic:

• Passengers must comply with mandatory health declarations before flights and present them during check-in
• Require valid SARS-COV-2 test results according to the standards of the Ministry of Health when traveling from epidemic areas
• Implement COVID-19 vaccination for all staff and crew members
• Encourage online check-in or kiosk check-in to reduce congestion at airports
• Provide hand sanitizers at check-in counters, departure gates, and onboard
• Ensure 2-meter distancing during airport procedures and boarding
• Thoroughly disinfect aircraft daily, as well as before and after each flight

Airlines implement safety standards for air travel during the pandemic

• Thoroughly disinfect high-touch surfaces and lavatories on aircraft
• Disinfect all serving equipment on flights
• Limit serving meals and provide bottled water instead
• Conduct temperature checks for crew and passengers before boarding
• Require all passengers and crew to wear masks before, during, and after the flight
• Avoid providing magazines, blankets, etc., to prevent cross-contamination
• Aircraft equipped with HEPA filters to minimize bacteria, ensuring a pure, clean, and safe cabin environment

Guidelines for flying during the COVID-19 pandemic for vaccinated individuals

Those who have completed COVID-19 vaccination can consider the following recommendations when flying during the pandemic:

• Wear a mask before, during, and after the flight
• Adhere to the requirements and regulations of the destination's local/national authorities
• Monitor your health after the flight, and if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, proactively contact healthcare authorities for testing
• Install the BlueZone app to receive timely alerts if you have been in close contact with an infected individual

Guidelines for flying during the COVID-19 pandemic for unvaccinated individuals

For passengers flying during the COVID-19 pandemic but not vaccinated, it's advisable to follow these recommendations to ensure the health of both themselves and the community:

• Undergo Sars-COV-2 testing 3 - 5 days before the flight if required by the destination's local/national authorities
• Install the BlueZone app to receive timely alerts if you have been in close contact with an infected individual
• Wear a mask continuously before, during, and after the flight
• Maintain a safe distance of at least 2 meters when moving around the airport
• Regularly sanitize hands with hand sanitizer or alcohol-based hand rub with over 60% alcohol content
• Comply with the medical isolation, testing, and self-health monitoring requirements as stipulated by the destination's local/national authorities
• If experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, proactively report to healthcare authorities for testing

Frequently asked questions when flying during the COVID-19 pandemic

Is there a quarantine requirement when flying from Saigon to Hanoi?

Are there quarantine requirements when flying from Saigon to Hanoi? This is a common question for most passengers as this route has the highest passenger traffic nationwide.

* Updated on 10/12/2021:

According to official letter No. 3487/UBND-ĐT dated 10/11/2021 from the Hanoi People's Committee regarding the pilot implementation of regular domestic flights to and from Hanoi, passengers meeting the required conditions from the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Health when flying from Saigon to Hanoi do not need centralized quarantine but will be quarantined at home or accommodation; they must monitor their health and comply with COVID-19 prevention measures as prescribed by local authorities.

* Updated on 10/10/2021:

According to Official Letter No. 3430/UBND-ĐT dated 08/10/2021 regarding feedback on the regular domestic flights to and from Hanoi (from 10/10 to 20/10/2021), the Hanoi People's Committee stated that passengers traveling from Tan Son Nhat to Noi Bai and staying in Hanoi are required to undergo centralized quarantine for 7 days. The quarantine location will be the city's centralized quarantine facility or designated hotels.

After completing centralized quarantine, passengers will self-monitor their health at home or accommodation for an additional 7 days.

Additionally, before boarding a flight to Hanoi, passengers must obtain confirmation from the local authorities regarding pick-up arrangements and quarantine facilities in Hanoi. Passengers need to contact the quarantine facility to arrange hotel bookings for quarantine.

* Updated on 7/21/2021: Implementing urgent measures to prevent COVID-19 in Hanoi, starting from 0h on 7/22/2021, all passengers flying from Saigon to Hanoi will be required to undergo centralized quarantine at designated quarantine facilities in the city under the coordination of the airport health authority.

According to the announcement from the Hanoi People's Committee, starting from 6:00 PM on 7/7/2021, all individuals flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi are required to undergo 14-day quarantine. During the first 7 days of quarantine, testing will be conducted 3 times. If the results are negative after 7 days, individuals will continue to self-monitor their health for the next 7 days. Additionally, passengers must present a negative test result within a maximum of 3 days before returning to Hanoi.

Is quarantine required for flights from Hanoi to Saigon?

During the trial period of domestic flights (10/10/2021 - 20/10/2021), passengers flying from Hanoi to Saigon do not need to undergo quarantine. Passengers only need to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam regarding the necessary documents for the flight. Upon arrival, passengers should actively self-monitor their health, and if any abnormal symptoms occur, they should contact medical authorities for timely assistance.

Individuals traveling from Hanoi to Saigon after 0h on 9/7/2021 must strictly adhere to the distancing regulations according to Directive 16 of the Prime Minister. Before flying, they are required to complete health declarations and have a negative COVID-19 test result valid within 3 days. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, they must comply with the distancing order and refrain from leaving their home/accommodation unless absolutely necessary.

Is domestic air travel subject to quarantine?

Are you wondering if domestic air travel requires quarantine? Since the beginning of July 2021, many provinces across the country have implemented centralized/quarantine-at-home measures for domestic passengers from outbreak areas.

Specifically, these include provinces and cities such as Hanoi, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Vinh (Nghe An), Da Lat (Lam Dong), Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Khanh Hoa, Can Tho, Binh Dinh, Hai Phong, Hue, and more.

What are the procedures for domestic air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Basic procedures for domestic air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic include:

• Health declaration
• Providing a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 (if required)
• Opting for online check-in procedures in advance (where available) to minimize crowds at the airport.

What procedures should individuals with international flight tickets adhere to upon arrival at the airport?

To comply with the Ministry of Health's disease prevention measures, individuals with international flight tickets need to provide complete information at the checkpoints on the way to the airport, including:

• Full name
• Health declaration
• Passport number (with valid visa)
• Airline ticket (either paper or electronic) containing information such as ticket code, flight time, date of flight, flight number
• Valid negative RT-PCR test result as required by the Ministry of Health
• Permanent address
• Destination (international airport)
• Vehicle control plate number used to reach the airport
• Departure time from the origin
• Arrival time at the international airport

Drivers transporting individuals with international flight tickets to the airport need to provide the following information:

• Driver's full name
• Health declaration
• Vehicle control plate number
• Identity card/citizen identification card/passport number (date of issue)
• Original copy of valid negative RT-PCR test result as required by the Ministry of Health;
• Permanent address
• Province/city of origin
• Departure time
• Arrival time at the airport
• Itinerary from the origin to the international airport
• Itinerary from the international airport back to the origin
• Full name, passport copy, photo of the airline ticket (ticket code, flight time, flight itinerary, date of flight, flight number) of the individual with international flight tickets being transported in the vehicle

Furthermore, during the journey from the origin to the international airport, there should be only 1 driver and 1 individual with international flight tickets being transported (or multiple individuals if they are from the same family with international flight tickets on the same flight). Conversely, during the journey from the international airport back to the origin, only the driver is allowed in the vehicle.

Drivers and individuals with international flight tickets must adhere to the aforementioned regulations and strictly follow the 5K guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, they need to present all the required documents at the local disease control checkpoints along the travel route.

What documents are required for domestic air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

For domestic air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the following documents are required:

• For adults: Personal identification documents such as ID cards/citizen identification cards or alternative valid documents such as passports, driver's licenses, etc.
• For children under 14 years old, a certified birth certificate or a certified copy of the birth certificate or passport is required
• A valid negative RT-PCR test result for SARS-CoV-2 as per the current regulations of the Ministry of Health regarding form templates and validity period
• Other types of documents applicable to special customer categories such as pregnant women, persons with disabilities, war veterans, etc.

Is domestic air travel prohibited?

At present, apart from a few routes to provinces and cities in the South that are temporarily suspended for 14 days due to the intense epidemic situation, domestic air travel is NOT PROHIBITED.

Passengers can still undertake other flights as usual. However, passengers must comply with mandatory health declarations, present test certificates, and strictly adhere to quarantine measures (if necessary) as stipulated by the Government and local authorities at the destination.

[Update] Starting from August 7, 2021, all flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) are temporarily suspended until further notice. Therefore, no domestic flights will be allowed to operate during this time.

[Update] Starting from August 2, 2021, only the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City route is operated at 1:00 PM daily by Vietnam Airlines.

[Update July 26, 2021] Due to the complex development of the pandemic, most flights to/from Hanoi are also temporarily suspended, until July 31, 2021, pending further notice.

What should be noted when traveling by air during the pandemic?

Below are some considerations for air travel during the pandemic that passengers need to pay attention to in order to have a safe flight:

• Avoid flying to pandemic hotspots
• Prepare luggage for air travel during the pandemic
• Frequently wash hands
• Wear masks correctly
• Limit contact, use services at the airport sparingly
• Avoid contact with strangers at the airport
• Disinfect your seat on the plane
• Say no to pillows and blankets on the plane
• Supplement with additional nutrients
• Comply with complete health declarations
• Update policies for changing/refunding airline tickets during the pandemic from airlines

All the latest information regarding traveling by air during the COVID-19 pandemic will be regularly and continuously updated by Mytour.vn for our valued customers. For assistance, advice, and ticket inquiries, please contact our hotline 1900 2083.

Wishing you safe and smooth flights!

Thanh Ha

Image Source: Internet & Mytour