Direct LA-Vietnam flights move closer

Direct flights between Los Angeles and the Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh moved a step closer this week following a funding grant for safety upgrades.

The U.S Embassy in Hanoi has said that $1.4 million will be used to help Vietnam Airlines meet international safety standards. The money will come from the U.S Trade and Development Agency and be used to fund a three-phase project expected to be complete by August.

Lai Xuan Thanh, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, told the Associated Press: "The assistance is essential to Vietnam Airlines in its efforts to open direct flights to the United States.

"We need more direct flights to match the fine growing economic ties between Vietnam and the United States."

Flights between the two countries would then begin following a final inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Vietnam Airlines hopes to fly from the U.S to Vietnam via Osaka in Japan. The flights will be classed as direct, with aircraft stopping for a short time in Japan to refuel and pick up more passengers.

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