Search and Rescue (SAR) services in general and Aviation SAR services in particular not only are the types of social and pure economic activities but also have deep humanitarian significance.

With the assigned role, functions and duties, the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) always pays attention to the provision of SAR services. Leadership of the VATM, the member units, always determines that it is an important and necessary service, obligation and responsibility of the VATM, to respond effectively when any unfavorable situation occurs.

1. Organizational system

Currently, the Steering Committee for Search and Rescue in the VATM is composed of: the Steering Committee for Disaster Preparedness and Search and Rescue (SCDPSAR), Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation and the Steering Committee for Disaster Preparedness and Search and Rescue (SCDPSAR) belong to the subordinate units.

Direct forces, performing search and rescue operations 24/24h include:

+ Aviation Search and Rescue Coordination Center under the VATM: Acts as the standing body of the Steering Committee for Disaster Preparedness and Search and Rescue of the VATM, to advise and direct the professional work of SAR, to regularly receive and process information on SAR and coordinate To cooperate with three centers of SAR in three areas in the North - Middle - South and related agencies and units to implement SAR tasks.

+ Northern Aviation Rescue Coordination Center (NARCC) belongs to Northern Region Air Traffic Services Company (NORAT).

+ Middle Aviation Rescue Coordination Center (MARCC) belongs to Middle Region Air Traffic Services Company (MIRAT).

+ Southern Aviation Rescue Coordination Center (SARCC) belongs to Southern Region Air Traffic Services Company (SORAT).

Organizational structure Aviation SAR services

2. Functions

SAR is one of five main services of Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation, of which:

a) Aviation Search and Rescue Coordination Center (ARCC)

A core unit with the following main functions:

- Advising the leaders of the VATM on the implementation of aviation SAR, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness and SAR in cases where the aircraft is in danger. The SAR Region of Vietnam and the flight information regions managed by Vietnam.

- Being the standing body of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of the VATM.

- Having the task of organizing the 24/24h standing forces, receiving, analyzing, handling and reporting information related to the Emergency situation of aircraft vessels; Collaborate and cooperate with the ARCC, Airport Emergency Coordination Centers, agencies, units and localities to implement the task.

- ARCC is the unit in charge of determining the area for searching, proposing, planning and reporting to the Civil Aviation Administration Vietnam (CAAV) the plan for searching civil aircraft in danger or distress. To take direct responsibility for, or participate in, coordinating and cooperating with relevant agencies, organizations and individuals in performing the tasks.

- To ensure a good communication system, technical equipment system and facilities ready to serve the Steering committee of SAR and the National Emergency Management Center to well carry out the command, To effectively manage SAR activities and aviation emergency response when occurs.

- To assume the prime responsibility for elaborating the VATM's letter of agreements, documents, plans, methods and processes related to the work of natural disaster prevention and SAR, then submit them to competent authorities for promulgation or promulgate them Right; Organizing the dissemination, implementation, monitoring, inspection and review of results of implementation.

- To plan training and rehearsing plans for submission to the authorities for approval, and organize the implementation thereof.

- To chair the inspection the ARCC of Northern, Middle and Southern Region Air Traffic services Company.

b) Regional ARCCs:

- Regional ARCCs (Northern, Middle and Southern regions), belong to regional Air Traffic services Companies, are responsible for coordinating cooperation in the area SAR regions in the area of ​​responsibility assigned. ;

- Receiving and processing information on SAR in the assigned area;

- Maintaining direct forces to ensure the coordination of 24/7;

- Coordination, close cooperation with agencies, units, forces inside and outside the Aviation, perform SAR tasks in the area of ​​responsibility of  ARCC, ensure timely notice and coordination when there are situations involving emergency stages;

- Willingness to participate in the SAR units as assigned by the SAR Steering committee                      

3. VATM’s Search and Rescue activities

VATM has regularly and actively participated in conducting Aviation Search and Rescue Exercises, specifically as follows:

- Full Aviation Search and Rescue Exercises at sea in 1994, 1998, 2000 and 2015;

- Full Aviation Search and Rescue Exercises on mountainous areas in 1996, 2003 and 20112;

- Full Aviation Search and Rescue Exercises using air and marine forces combined in 2015.

Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) in 2015

Under the strict guidance of the Viet Nam SAR Committee, the Steering Committee for Disaster Preparedness and Search and Rescue of VATM is the first unit to activate all aviation search and rescue systems. The Search and Rescue team of VATM participated actively in the Search and Rescue activities of the MH370 aircraft of Malaysian Airlines in March, 2014 and the SU30 MK2, CASA212 aircraft in June 2016.

With the system of Black Box Detectors, the VATM's SAR team is the first team to accurately determine the CASA212's black box location. In addition to the humanitarian and social significance, this miracle of the VATM has contributed to saving tens of billions of VND in cost of SAR each day, while enhancing the Corporation's nationwide and worldwide prestige and level.