Belarus and Vietnam Advance Towards Regular Direct Flights Following Successful Charter Launch

Historic Charter Flights Pave the Way for Regular Service

Minsk, Belarus – Discussions are underway between Belarus and Vietnam regarding the launch of regular direct flights, a development that follows the recent introduction of successful charter services between the two nations. The inaugural direct charter flight from Minsk to Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, landed on October 12, 2025, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations.

Igor Golub, Director of the Aviation Department of the Belarusian Ministry of Transport and Communications, confirmed on October 12, 2025, that the launch of a regular flight is under discussion. He stated, 'Currently, it is a charter flight, and people can only use it for tourism. We are now finalizing an intergovernmental agreement, which will allow us to launch regular flights between the two countries.' This agreement is being coordinated with the Embassy of Vietnam in Belarus and the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Strategic Partnership and Growing Demand

The move towards regular flights is a direct outcome of a strategic partnership established between Belarus and Vietnam during Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam's state visit to Belarus in May 2025. This partnership laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation across various sectors, including tourism.

Demand for direct air travel has been notably high. The charter flights, operated by Belavia Belarusian Airlines, are scheduled every 11 days and have seen tickets fully booked through March 2026. Tour operators anticipate approximately 10,000 Belarusian tourists will visit Vietnam during the 2025-2026 tourist season.

Key Facilitating Factors

Several factors have contributed to the feasibility and success of these new air links:

• Visa-Free Regime: A mutual visa-free regime between Belarus and Vietnam came into effect on January 30, 2025, allowing citizens of both countries to stay for up to 30 days per trip, with a maximum of 90 days per year.
• Fleet Expansion: Belavia's acquisition of long-haul aircraft, specifically several Airbus A330-200 models, has significantly expanded its capabilities for international routes.
• Prior Agreements: Aviation authorities from both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN2024) in October 2024, setting the stage for increased air connectivity.

Sergey Lukashevich, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, highlighted on October 12, 2025, that the new flight represents 'the first concrete outcome of the Strategic Partnership' and noted that bilateral relations are flourishing across political and economic fields, with tourism being a promising area of cooperation. Vietnamese Ambassador to Belarus, Nguyen Van Trung, also emphasized Vietnam's interest in deepening tourism cooperation, stating on October 12, 2025, that 'The launch of a direct flight is a historic event, an important milestone in bilateral relations.'

Future Prospects

The ongoing discussions aim to transition these popular charter services into regular scheduled flights, further solidifying the air bridge between Minsk and Phu Quoc. Gleb Parkhamovich, First Deputy CEO of Belavia, indicated on October 13, 2025, that the airline plans to explore other Vietnamese resort destinations for future charter flights, signaling a broader expansion of services. This enhanced connectivity is expected to continue boosting tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges between Belarus and Vietnam.