Sergei Lukashevich
MINSK, 12 October (BelTA) – The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to expand visa-free travel for Belarusian citizens, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lukashevich said at a press conference at Minsk National Airport dedicated to the ceremony marking the launch of the first direct flight to Vietnam.
Sergei Lukashevich hailed the launch of Belavia charter flights to Vietnam as a significant event for bilateral relations. He recalled that since 30 January 2025, a mutual visa-free regime has been in effect for holders of national passports. A single trip should not exceed 30 days, and the total length of stay within a year should not exceed 90 days.
“This milestone is our shared success, forged through our joint dedication and multifaceted collaboration. The inauguration of this route fulfills a key directive from our nations’ leaders to build a strategic partnership, opening a significant new chapter in our bilateral history,” noted Sergei Lukashevich.
He added that Belarus and Vietnam are actively developing political and economic contacts. The strategic nature of their relations has been repeatedly emphasized at the highest level. Cooperation in tourism is a logical continuation of this joint work and is consistent with the spirit of partnership. He called the choice of route symbolic. Phu Quoc means “rich lands” in Vietnamese, which promises tourists deep cultural immersion.
Sergei Lukashevich reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to securing further visa-free agreements within the region. For example, during the visit of Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov to Laos on 17 July, an intergovernmental visa-waiver agreement for holders of national passports was signed.
“We hope this agreement will come into force soon. We are also working with Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, and a number of other countries. This issue is among the ministry’s priorities. The goal is to ensure Belarusians aren’t burdened by bureaucratic procedures when traveling to these regions,” noted Sergei Lukashevich. He added that other destinations are also being considered.
This diplomatic effort is matched by logistical capability, as Belavia’s new Airbus A330-200 aircraft enables the airline’s long-haul routes, including new regular charter flights to Vietnam every 11 days.
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