Laser lights flashed at planes threaten flight safety
Pointing lasers at planes are posing real threats to flight safety, according Nguyen Dac Tuan, Deputy Head of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee.
A Vietnam Airlines airplane takes off (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)👍 – Pointing lasers at planes are posing real threats to flight safety, according Nguyen Dac Tuan, Deputy Head of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee.
The dangerous act threatens takeoffs and landings, Tuan said, referring to recent cases of lasers pointed at planes at Noi Bai International Airport, though they have not caused real damage yet.
Since the beginning of this year, four cases of lasers flashed at planes occurred at Noi Bai International Airport. A similar case was detected at Pleiku airport and the other at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Tuan said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has warned countries of lasers-caused possible dangers to flight safety.
In Vietnam, Ordinance 16/2011/UBTVQH on the management and use of weapons, explosives and support devices details the use of laser lights.
An investigation into the source of the lasers used in these cases is still underway, Tuan said.
He added that the committee sent documents recommending Hanoi’s steering committee on fighting terrorism and Vinh Phuc province’s police to implement measures to end the use of laser pointers directed at planes.
Earlier, the committee also issued Instruction No. 02 on March 4, 2016 asking the steering committees for emergencies in provinces and cities and air companies to proactively prevent similar acts.
There has been an increase in the use of laser pointers at cultural-social events, so it is necessary to raise people’s awareness of lasers’ possible threat to flight safety, especially in areas surrounding airports.
Pham Minh Trong, Deputy Head of the Division of Flight Safety Standards under the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (ACCV), said directing lasers at the cockpit of a plane definitely distracts pilots, and demanded the end of this act.
Dinh Duc Tuan, Boeing 787 captain for Vietnam Airlines, said lasers could potentially hurt pilots’ eyes and distract them during landings and take-offs.-VNA
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai requested Vietnam's aviation industry to create breakthroughs in building and upgrading airports in a bid to name it in the top four in ASEAN.
Technical issues related to Airbus A320/A321 aircraft together with solutions to breakdowns to increase flight safety were discussed at the Airbus 320 Family Regional Seminar.
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam will pour over 26.2 trillion VND (1.17 billion USD) for the upgradation of airports to meet travel demands and socio-economic development by 2018.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
A Vietnam Airlines airplane takes off (Photo: VNA)
