Vietnam Airlines Flight VN213 left Hanoi for HCMC Sunday afternoon after authorities allowed the resumption of service on 19 domestic routes.

Passengers check in before boarding at the domestic terminal of Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport Sunday afternoon. There is only one flight on Sunday, so the check-in counters were empty.

Starting Oct. 10, aviation authorities have decided to restart flights on 19 routes after the government approved an 11-day pilot resumption plan. From HCMC there would be flights to Binh Dinh, Da Nang, Hue, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Phu Quoc, Rach Gia and Gia Lai, the Ministry of Transport said.

Accordingly, there will be flights to HCMC, Da Nang and Can Tho from Hanoi. From Da Nang, flights can be taken to Can Tho City and Buon Ma Thuot in the Central Highlands; and from Thanh Hoa, a flight will take off for Lam Dong Province, home to Da Lat.

"I have been stuck in Hanoi after coming here on a business trip two months ago. As soon as I learnt that Hanoi - HCMC flights were about to resume, I was thrilled and booked a ticket immediately," said passenger Binh.

Passengers must submit health declarations and commit to following Covid prevention rules before boarding. Those having symptoms like cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, or sore throat, will not be allowed to board the flight.

A ground staff helps a passenger fill up a health declaration and sign a commitment to abide strictly with social distancing rules.

Passengers are required to a Covid negative certificate based on tests done within 72 hours before boarding. Those without such a certificate will be required to undergo a rapid antigen test for VND238,000 ($10.37).

Passengers were instructed to not sit or stand close to each other.

Stranded in Hanoi for months, Nga and her family were thrilled to return to HCMC.

The flight took off at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. As per regulations, passengers must not go to crowded places in the destination locality and are required to self-quarantine at home or other accommodation and have their health monitored for at least seven days (based on local regulations). People from pandemic hotspots must be tested on the second day after arrival.