Aviation safety oversight must ensure independence and transparency

Under the decree, aviation safety oversight activities must comply with Vietnamese law, international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, and ICAO standards and recommendations. Oversight operations are required to be conducted in an independent, objective, transparent and systematic manner on a continuous basis.

The decree stipulates that oversight activities shall be implemented through approved programmes and plans, or carried out on an ad hoc basis when necessary. Priority will be given to sectors, organisations and activities with higher safety risks through a risk-based oversight approach.

All oversight activities must follow procedures and guidance documents issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), ensuring consistency in assessments, conclusions and corrective actions related to aviation safety.

In addition, oversight tasks may only be performed by aviation safety inspectors who meet professional qualification, competency and experience requirements prescribed by the Minister of Construction.

Annual aviation safety oversight programme required

The decree assigns the CAAV responsibility for developing and implementing an annual aviation safety oversight programme covering aircraft airworthiness, flight operations, air navigation services, airports, airfields and other specialised aviation sectors.

The programme must clearly define the scope, subjects, content, methods and frequency of periodic inspections and oversight activities for each area. It must also be based on safety risk assessments, findings from previous oversight activities, operational scale and the safety management capabilities of regulated entities.

Notably, both the oversight programme and related guidance documents must be reviewed and updated annually, or whenever necessary, to ensure consistency with aviation operations, Vietnamese regulations and ICAO standards.

Strengthening Vietnam’s aviation safety programme

A key component of the decree is the requirement to establish, maintain and continuously update Vietnam’s aviation safety programme.

Accordingly, the CAAV is tasked with organising the implementation of the programme, conducting regular reviews and updates, and monitoring compliance across the aviation sector to ensure alignment with domestic regulations, international commitments and ICAO requirements.

The aviation safety programme encompasses a broad range of activities, including the development of aviation policies, regulations and technical standards, as well as coordination mechanisms among government agencies and aviation stakeholders.

The programme also covers licensing, certification and approval processes for organisations and individuals involved in civil aviation activities; implementation of safety management systems; investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents; hazard identification; and aviation safety risk assessment.

Particular emphasis is placed on building an integrated aviation safety data collection, processing and analysis system to support risk prediction, accident prevention and evidence-based safety management.

Promoting a strong aviation safety culture

Beyond regulatory and oversight requirements, the decree highlights the importance of fostering a proactive safety culture throughout the civil aviation sector.

Government agencies, aviation organisations and enterprises are required to promote awareness of aviation safety policies and objectives, strengthen professional training, and enhance information sharing to support early warning, prevention and risk mitigation efforts.

The CAAV will also develop annual evaluation criteria and recognition mechanisms to honour organisations and individuals with outstanding contributions to aviation safety.

The decree introduces additional provisions on safety management systems, mandatory aviation occurrence reporting, the aviation safety data center, exemptions and the responsibilities of relevant agencies and organisations in ensuring aviation safety.

The decree will take effect on July 1, 2026, providing an important legal foundation for Vietnam to further modernise its aviation safety oversight system and strengthen compliance with international best practices.