Vietnam, Israel set to launch direct flights in October

Vietnam and Israel are poised to open their first direct air service early this October in a follow-up to their free trade agreement (FTA) signed in July.

Vietnam’s low-cost carrier VietJet Air will operate direct flights between Hanoi and Tel Aviv, Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat told the Vietnam News Agency on Wednesday. He is on a visit to Vietnam to boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

Barkat met with Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien the same day in Hanoi to discuss ways to boost economic and trade relations. The two ministers then signed an agreement for the opening of direct flights.

The deal also allows Israelis to enter Vietnam with electronic visas, and this will take effect immediately. This means there will be no need for visitors to go to the Vietnamese embassy in Tel Aviv to obtain visas.

Both developments aim at further facilitating trade and economic ties between the countries.

The Vietnam-Israel FTA (VIFTA) signed on July 25 is expected to boost trade, investment, and tourism for both sides.

Vietnam always attaches importance to Vietnam-Israel relations, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Barkat in their Wednesday meeting in Hanoi.

Chinh informed Barkat that Vietnam has decided to issue electronic visas to citizens of foreign countries, including Israel, starting on August 15. The PM also appreciated the preparations made by both sides for the launch of the direct air service.

The PM urged the two sides to strengthen the exchange of visits, promote the effective implementation of cooperation mechanisms, effectively implement their new FTA, and initiate negotiations for the signing of cooperation deals in industrial areas.

The Vietnamese leader also emphasized the need for coordination in the organization of trade promotion activities, enhancing the export of flagship Vietnamese products such as agricultural and aquatic products, fruit and vegetables, and processed foods to Israel.

Barkat said his government sees Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia and wishes to strengthen cooperation with the country in all fields.

The Israeli minister added that Israel is working to coordinate with Vietnam to quickly complete the relevant procedures so that the VIFTA can enter into force as soon as possible.

Also in Hanoi on the same day, the Vietnam-Israel Inter-Governmental Committee on cooperation in economy, science, technology and other fields convened its third meeting, presided over by Barkat and Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat.

The signing of the VIFTA has opened up a new chapter and marked a stride in bilateral relations, Dat said, describing the FTA as a driving force for the two sides to increase bilateral trade by 10-15% this year in order to reach $3 billion in the coming time.

Barkat said his country wants to focus on sectors that Israel is strong in, such as high technology, home security, application of Industry 4.0 technology to boost productivity, healthcare, desert technology, agriculture, food, and hi-tech tourism, the Vietnam News Agency reported.