‘Gateway to Asia’: Israel and Vietnam Agree to Direct Flights

As part of agreement, Israelis will also be able to enter Vietnam with an e-visa, eliminating the need to first visit the Vietnamese embassy in Tel Aviv.

By United with Israel Staff and Pesach Benson, TPS

Israel and Vietnam on Wednesday signed an agreement to launch direct flights between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in Hanoi between Minister of Economy Nir Barkat and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Hong Dien.

Direct flights between Hanoi and Tel Aviv are due to proceed in October.

Also as part of the agreement, Israelis wishing to visit Vietnam will be permitted to use electronic visas to enter the country, streamlining the process by eliminating the need to first go to the Vietnamese embassy in Tel Aviv to obtain a Visa.

Barkat said the ability to use e-visas to enter Vietnam takes effect immediately.

“These are extremely significant achievements that will make it possible to increase trade and doing business between the countries,” Barkat said. “Vietnam is our gateway to Asia and is becoming a key and growing country. Tightening and strengthening our relations is important to Israel and Vietnam and I congratulate the Vietnamese government for their warm hospitality and willingness to strengthen the relationship between our peoples.”

The Minister of Economy’s visit to Vietnam comes after the two countries in July signed a free trade agreement.

The agreement is expected to lead to mutual tariff reductions on imported and exported products, alongside the improvement and facilitation of trade in a variety of other areas such as services, investments and standardization.

The agreement will also provide a competitive advantage and facilitate the activity of Israeli exporters in the developing and growing Vietnamese market, thereby strengthening Israeli exports and increasing growth in the economy.

Among the main goods traded between the countries are: chemicals, chemical industry products, electronic equipment, optical and medical equipment, electrical and mechanical machinery and equipment, fresh agricultural produce and food products. Israel imports from Vietnam many consumer products such as clothing, footwear, coffee, cell phones and more. In recent years, electric vehicles manufactured in Vietnam have even begun to be sold in Israel.

“The agreement will give Israeli industry a competitive advantage, facilitate the activity of companies and exporters in the Vietnamese market and help reduce the cost of living in Israel, among other things by lowering the costs of imports from Vietnam,” said Barkat.

“Vietnam is a vibrant and growing economy – and Israel is a vibrant and growing economy. The cooperation between us opens up new horizons through which we will be more successful in the future together,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said.