A man checks in for his flight at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport,
October 10, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

All domestic air services resume Thursday, and passengers no longer need to be fully vaccinated, the Ministry of Transport has announced.

But until November 30 passengers from high-risk areas, locked down areas, HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, and Can Tho Airport need to furnish a negative coronavirus test done at least 72 hours before the flight, it said.

Passengers from elsewhere only need to satisfy one of three conditions: a negative coronavirus test at least 72 hours prior, a certificate to prove they are fully vaccinated with the second shot taken between 14 days and 12 months prior, or a certificate proving they recovered from Covid-19 not more than six months prior.

The new requirements mean unvaccinated children can fly if they tested negative.

As the "new normal" kicks in, all airlines can now operate on all routes, albeit at reduced frequency.

Between Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang they can operate a maximum of six flights a day either way until November 14, and seven between November 15 and 30.

Other sectors can have no more than four flights a day.

Since they resumed flights have been nearly empty due to the low vaccination rates outside of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the fact that no one under 18 has been vaccinated yet.

Once the new requirements take effect, some airlines have announced their ticket sales for more routes.

Until November 30 Vietnam Airlines expects to operate nearly 40 flights a day, or close to pre-Covid levels. They include to major tourist destinations Con Dao and Da Lat.

Pacific Airlines will fly once a day each way between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, and from Ho Chi Minh City also to Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Quy Nhon, Hue, Phu Quoc, Chu Lai, and Dong Hoi.

Bamboo Airways said it would increase the frequency on 31 routes, including 15 to Hanoi and 17 to Ho Chi Minh City. It also plans to resume flights to Da Nang from elsewhere.