The change is set out in Decree No. 264/2026, which governs the provision of special aircraft and dedicated flight services.

Under the new regulation, officials entitled to these services include the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State President, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the National Assembly, and, for the first time, the Standing Member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat.

The decree also identifies the agencies responsible for coordinating and notifying special flights, including the Office of the Party Central Committee, the Office of the President, the Government Office, the Office of the National Assembly, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its State Protocol Department and Department of Interpretation and External Translation.

Vietnamese airlines operating aircraft that meet regulatory standards may be assigned to conduct special flights. Military units under the Ministry of National Defence that satisfy the ministry's operational requirements may also be tasked with carrying out these missions.

Flight crew requirements

The decree requires pilots operating special flights to be Vietnamese citizens holding valid licenses issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam for the aircraft type involved.

Aircraft commanders on flights lasting more than two hours must have accumulated at least 5,000 flight hours, including 1,500 hours as pilot-in-command, and at least 500 pilot-in-command hours on the aircraft type used for the mission.

For planned flights of less than two hours, commanders must have at least 4,000 total flight hours, including 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command, with at least 300 pilot-in-command hours on the aircraft type.

Co-pilots must have accumulated at least 3,000 flight hours for flights exceeding two hours or 2,000 hours for shorter flights, in addition to meeting other professional requirements.

Cabin crew assigned to special flights must also be Vietnamese citizens holding valid cabin crew certificates issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

They are required to have logged at least 700 hours of cabin crew experience, including 100 hours on the aircraft type used for special flights.

The decree further requires cabin crew to demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility, maintain a clear background, and have no disciplinary action of reprimand or higher within the 12 months preceding their selection for special flight duties.

The decree took effect on July 1, 2026.

Tran Thuong