Dien Bien Airport officially reopens

Vietnam Airlines' Airbus A321 aircraft with flight number VN1802 (Hanoi - Dien Bien) landed on the runway of Dien Bien airport *. Photo: Tran Nham*

The program "Welcoming flights and visitors to Dien Bien Airport" was organized by the People's Committee of Dien Bien province in coordination with Vietnam Airlines Corporation, Dien Bien Airport, Vietjet Air Joint Stock Company. Attending this special event were comrade Nguyen Van Thang, member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Transport, and leaders and working delegations of several central ministries and branches. Attending the event on the side of Dien Bien province were comrades of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and leaders of the Provincial People's Committee.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thang, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Transport, took the first flight to Dien Bien airport after the upgrade and expansion. *Photo: Tran Nham*

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony for the flights and visitors, Mr. Le Thanh Do, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee, emphasized: Over the past time, Vietnam Airlines Corporation (the investor) has closely coordinated with the province in all investment and construction activities of the project. The construction process encountered many difficulties, but with the determination and great efforts of all parties, up to now, the main items have been completed according to plan, ensuring conditions for resuming flights.

Passengers getting off the plane were excited by the warm and enthusiastic welcome from the local people. *Photo: Tran Nham*

The resumption of Dien Bien Airport is of great significance; it creates favorable conditions for tourists, people from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, other regions in the country and international friends to come to Dien Bien; it creates a driving force to promote socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security of Dien Bien province. Comrade Le Thanh Do also clearly affirmed the policy of Dien Bien province is to encourage and create the most favorable conditions to attract airlines to increase exploitation and expand flights to Dien Bien Airport in the coming time.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Thanh Do and representatives of Vietnam Airlines Corporation signed a cooperation agreement for the 2024-2028 period. *Photo: Hai Yen*

Right at the event "Welcoming flights and visitors to Dien Bien Airport", Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Vietnam Airlines Corporation for the period 2024 - 2028. Especially the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024, associated with the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory.

Passengers take souvenir photos with the flight crew. *Photo: Tran Nham*

With the investment in upgrading, Dien Bien airport can now receive large modern aircraft A320, A321. Previously, due to its small size and inadequate technical system, Dien Bien airport could only receive small aircraft such as ATR72; in bad weather, aircraft could not land.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Thanh Do presented a souvenir to a representative of Vietnam Airlines Corporation. *Photo: Hai Yen*

Representatives of Vietnam Airlines Corporation presented gifts to congratulate the first passengers on the flight. *Photo: Hai Yen*

Representatives of Dien Bien province and VietjetAir cut the ribbon to open the Ho Chi Minh City - Dien Bien route.

Comrade Le Thanh Do, Chairman of Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee, welcomed passengers from VietjetAir flight number VJ298 to Dien Bien Airport.

Previously, on March 27, 2021, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 470/QD-TTg approving the investment policy to expand Dien Bien Airport with a runway of 2,400m long and 45m wide, meeting technical standards for modern aircraft such as A320, A321. Civil aviation scale, renovating and expanding the operating capacity of the existing passenger terminal from 300,000 passengers/year to 500,000 passengers/year. The project with a total investment of more than 1,400 billion VND was started by Vietnam Airports Corporation, the Ministry of Transport and the People's Committee of Dien Bien province on January 22, 2022.

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