According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), the aviation sector is undergoing significant development, especially in 2025, both in scale and technology. Ensuring aviation safety has become a mandatory requirement for all enterprises participating in the market. Beyond being a legal obligation, aviation safety is a critical factor in building reputation, establishing a foundation for sustainable business operations, and enhancing international competitiveness. This article provides an in-depth analysis of mandatory aviation safety standards, their legal basis, and key aspects enterprises must consider to ensure safety in aviation transport operations.
1. Overview of the Legal Framework for Aviation Safety
Vietnam’s legal system on aviation safety is established based on international standards of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), adapted and domesticated to suit national conditions. Key legal instruments include:
- The Vietnam Civil Aviation Law 2006, amended and supplemented in 2014, serves as the foundational legislation regulating civil aviation activities.
- Decree No. 92/2016/ND-CP on conditional business lines in the aviation sector, which sets out safety requirements regarding infrastructure and personnel.
- Decree No. 89/2019/ND-CP, amending Decree No. 92/2016/ND-CP and Decree No. 30/2013/ND-CP, updates safety management requirements for aviation operators.
- Circular No. 29/2021/TT-BGTVT by the Ministry of Transport, guiding procedures for licensing aviation business operations and safety standards for air operators.
- Circular No. 10/2018/TT-BGTVT regulates aviation personnel, including training, examination, and certification requirements.
- ICAO standards and recommendations, such as Annex 6 (Operation of Aircraft), Annex 14 (Aerodromes), and Annex 19 (Safety Management), play a key role in directing and standardizing global aviation safety systems.
2. Core Safety Standards
2.1 Infrastructure Requirements
To ensure aviation safety, enterprise infrastructure must meet the following standards:
- Standardized infrastructure systems: Pursuant to Clause 7, Article 1 of the Civil Aviation Law, aircraft must be registered, inspected, and licensed by the CAAV for operation.
- Safety equipment compliance: As per Article 103 of Circular No. 13/2019 and standard TCVN 8753:2011, supporting equipment (e.g., radar, navigation systems, runway lighting, collision warning systems) must comply with ICAO technical requirements.
- Maintenance and periodic inspections: According to Clause 2, Article 7 of the amended Civil Aviation Law and Article 70 of Circular No. 29/2021, enterprises must establish routine maintenance plans, conduct periodic inspections, and ensure transparent record-keeping. Maintenance centers must be licensed and comply with technical, electronic, and mechanical safety standards.
2.2 Personnel Requirements
Aviation safety heavily depends on personnel competency at all organizational levels:
- Professionally trained personnel: As stipulated in Article 70 of the Civil Aviation Law and Circular No. 10/2018/TT-BGTVT, pilots, engineers, maintenance staff, and air traffic controllers must hold valid licenses issued by competent authorities.
- Comprehensive training programs: Training must include basic and advanced knowledge on safe operations, emergency response, and updates on legal regulations.
- Ongoing training and evaluation: According to Circular No. 31/2022/VBHN-BGTVT, periodic training and competency assessments must be implemented to ensure readiness.
- Emergency preparedness drills: Enterprises must conduct regular drills to ensure that staff can effectively respond to unexpected incidents.
All training programs must be updated in accordance with the Ministry of Transport and international standards.
3. Safety Management System (SMS)
One of the most important advancements in improving safety oversight is the implementation of a Safety Management System (SMS). Defined in ICAO’s Annex 19 and incorporated into Vietnamese law via Circular No. 29/2021/TT-BGTVT, the SMS includes:
4. Safety Evaluation and Certification Procedures
Under the Civil Aviation Law and Circular No. 29/2021/TT-BGTVT, the safety evaluation process includes:
- Preliminary safety condition assessment: Enterprises must submit complete documentation proving compliance in infrastructure, personnel training, and SMS.
- Detailed inspections of systems and procedures: This involves evaluating technical infrastructure, maintenance routines, and operational procedures.
- Personnel competency assessment: Regular and specialized training programs for pilots, maintenance engineers, and air traffic controllers must be organized and evaluated.
- Issuance of safety certification: If all safety conditions are met, the CAAV will grant the enterprise an operating license, which is a prerequisite for conducting aviation transport business.
5. Training and Development Requirements
In accordance with Circular No. 10/2018/TT-BGTVT, enterprises must implement ongoing safety training programs, including:
- Basic aviation safety training: Ensures that all employees understand safety principles and general aviation knowledge.
- Position-specific advanced training: For pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers, following ICAO and Ministry of Transport standards.
- Periodic training and knowledge updates: Including workshops, seminars, and updated modules in accordance with ICAO and CAAV guidelines.
- Emergency response drills: Conducted regularly to improve response capacity in scenarios such as technical failures or unexpected incidents.
6. Safety Oversight and Reporting
Monitoring and reporting are essential for identifying and mitigating risks:
- Incident reporting system: All incidents, regardless of severity, must be documented and analyzed.
- Investigation and analysis procedures: Enterprises must organize root cause analysis and implement corrective actions post-incident.
- Corrective and preventive measures: Based on reports, enterprises must update procedures, modify training plans, and invest in technology to improve safety management.
- Periodic safety reports: Required under Article 61 of the Civil Aviation Law, reports must be submitted to the CAAV and aligned with international safety indicators.
7. Conclusion and Recommendations
Strict compliance with aviation safety standards is not only a legal obligation but also a critical factor for maintaining reputation and ensuring sustainable development. Enterprises should:
- Build a safety culture: Ensure all staff members understand the significance of safety.
- Invest in quality infrastructure and technology: Continuously upgrade equipment and maintain technical standards.
- Implement ongoing training: Organize frequent training, workshops, and drills aligned with international best practices.
- Maintain proactive oversight and continuous improvement: Use incident reports and risk analysis to enhance safety performance.
- Integrate legal and international standards: Align safety systems with the Civil Aviation Law, applicable decrees and circulars, and ICAO recommendations.
These requirements represent a long-term investment, enhancing service quality, protecting passengers, and building trust in both domestic and international aviation markets.
For further information, please contact the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam or consult with legal experts from Harley Miller Law Firm.
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: luatminhnguyen.com or hmlf.vn
- Hotline: + 84 9372 15585