Vietnam’s Phu Quoc welcomes first direct flight from Belarus

At around 10:00 am, flight BRU 8197 operated by Belarusian flag carrier Belavia, also known as Belarusian Airlines, touched down at Phu Quoc International Airport, carrying the first group of tourists traveling directly from Belarus to Vietnam’s southern island.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, deputy secretary of the provincial Party Committee and chairman of the provincial People’s Council, said the new route holds great significance as Phu Quoc is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2027.

The Minsk-Phu Quoc air route shortens the distance between Southeast Asia and Central-Eastern Europe, creating new opportunities for cooperation, tourism, and investment between Vietnam and Belarus, Nhan said.

He added that the flight would not only make it easier for Belarusian tourists, investors, and businesses to reach Vietnam but also help Vietnamese goods, farm produce, and industrial products penetrate the Belarusian and European markets more efficiently.

“The new air link is a symbol of effective partnership and will help promote Vietnam’s image as a friendly, dynamic, and hospitable nation,” Nhan emphasized, calling on Phu Quoc International Airport and related agencies to provide the best possible conditions for the airline and passengers.

According to the provincial People’s Committee, this Mekong Delta province has welcomed nearly 20 million visitors so far this year, up 18.7 percent year on year, including 1.2 million foreign tourists, with total tourism revenue reaching VND51 trillion (US$1.9 billion).

In 2024, 1,700 Belarusian tourists visited Phu Quoc, while the first nine months of 2025 recorded around 2,000 visitors from the Eastern European nation.

There will be one flight operated on the Minsk-Phu Quoc route every 10 days, using an Airbus A330-200 aircraft with a capacity of up to 300 passengers per flight.