The meeting was also attended by representatives from the South Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from the Air Transport Department, and the Legal & International Cooperation Department of the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam.
This is one of the Ambassador’s first official activities upon arriving in Vietnam. Prior to this, he had paid courtesy calls and presented his credentials to General Secretary and President Tô Lâm during this visit.
During the talks with Director General Đinh Việt Thắng, the Ambassador expressed his joy over the rapid development of both nations and the cultural and religious similarities between the two peoples. Ambassador Kinzang Dorji also shared that one of the key focuses of his term is to enhance cooperation between Bhutan and Vietnam in the fields of tourism, agriculture, and investment.
To realize these objectives, it is essential to first establish connectivity between the two countries, particularly the air transport. The Ambassador expressed his hope that the two nations would soon establish a bilateral air services agreement, serving as a legal foundation for airlines from both countries to operate regular flights.
In response to the Ambassador's goodwill, Director General Đinh Việt Thắng expressed confidence in the positive relationship between Bhutan and Vietnam.
He noted that both countries are not only friends but also attractive tourist destinations for travelers from both nations and internationally, particularly in the form of religious tourism.
He also affirmed that favorable conditions would be created to enhance air transport connectivity between the two countries in the near future.
Currently, Bhutan and Vietnam have not yet established a bilateral air services agreement. However, Bhutanese airlines have successfully operated a few charter flights to Vietnam. In the near future, Bhutanese airlines plan to expand operations to Vietnam, making the signing of a bilateral air services agreement between Bhutan and Vietnam essential.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAAV) has instructed relevant airlines operating regular international flights to Viet Nam to tighten flight document checks for incoming and transit passengers.
Vietnam Airlines will double the frequency of flights to Dien Bien to serve the National Tourism Year 2024, towards the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
On the afternoon of September 5, at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), Director General Đinh Việt Thắng chaired a meeting on measures to prevent and respond to Typhoon No. 3 (Typhoon YAGI).