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HANOI (AFP) — The United States will help Vietnam upgrade aviation security to enable state-run carrier Vietnam Airlines to launch direct flights to the United States, the US embassy said Thursday.
The US Trade and Development Agency is providing 1.4 million dollars to upgrade Vietnam's aviation safety oversight capability to international standards, the embassy said in a statement.
Vietnam Airlines recently filed for a foreign air carrier permit with the US Transportation Department that would allow for direct air services between Ho Chi Minh City and Los Angeles via Osaka, Japan.
"With Vietnam's recent accession to the World Trade Organization, direct air service between the United States and Vietnam offers opportunities for increased bilateral trade and tourism," the US statement said.
