History of the formation and development of Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation (Part I)
On January 15, 1956, the Prime Minister issued Decree 666-TTg on the establishment of the Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam. After over 60 years of establishment and development, Viet Nam’s civil aviation industry has made great strides, gradually integrating with the civil aviation community in the world and making important contributions in the struggle for liberation of South Viet Nam and uniting the country, as well as contribution to social and economic development of the country.
Air traffic management, along with air transport and airport management, is one of the three basic components that make up Viet Nam’s civil aviation. With the objectives of delivering “Safety - Regularity - Efficiency”, VATM has made great achievements contributing to the common cause of civil aviation of Viet Nam
PART I:
AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES DURING THE PERIOD OF PROTECTING, CONSTRUCTING NORTH VIETNAM, AND LIBERATING SOUTH VIETNAM
On 21st July 1954, the Geneva Conference on Indochina ended with the Agreement on Ending the War, Restoring Peace in Viet Nam. Long-term resistance of Viet Nam against the French colonial invasion has won glorious victory. On 10th October 1954, together with the take over of Ha Noi capital, we successfully took over Gia Lam airport, receiving aviation facilities and technical equipment at the airport, protecting and preserving existing assets while simultaneously studying the situation for repairs, restore and maintainance of the flight service. On 31st December 1954 at Gia Lam airport, the ceremony of taking over, handover was held. At exact 00:00 1st January 1955, a message was emitted stating that all aircraft entering North Viet Nam from the 17th parallel must seek permission from the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam’s aviation agency located at Gia Lam airport, Ha Noi. This historic first message confirming Democratic Republic of Viet Nam’s ownership of airspace also marked the birth of the aviation agency that is the precursor of VATM today. One day after the takeover, in the afternoon of 2nd January 1955, Comrade Nguyen Duc Viet (a German soldier who had followed us since the early days of the resistance war in Central Viet Nam) directed the B-307 French Airways flight from Tan Son Nhat airport to land at Gia Lam airport in the joy, excitement and confidence of the whole unit. This event marked a milestone in the history of development of Viet Nam civil aviation in general and VATM in particular.
Yellow star red flag flying on the landing station at Gia Lam airport after the day of takeover
Restoration of Gia Lam airport and flight command organization to celebrate the Central Committee, the Government and President Ho Chi Minh City on the capital (January 1, 1955)
From 1956 to 1958, the flight assurance agency advised the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant experts in China to carry out the procedures and issue flight permits. For nearly 100 specialized flights carrying national heads of state and foreign countries visiting Vietnam and ensuring flight safety command for 3735 flights.
On May 1, 1959, the 919th Air Transport Aviation Regiment - the first Military Air Transport Aviation Unit was established. After the establishment, the General Staff of the Regiment coordinated with the flight assurance agencies at all levels to speed up the training work, actively prepare additional forces and technical equipment for the airports and stations; Plan surveys, study routes, destinations, parachute drop points, drop off; To review, consolidate and improve the flight rules, flight conditions, airport regulations, notification and cooperation with all levels, especially with the Anti-Air Force.
From the year 1959 to 1964, our flight assurance agency involved in the management of civil and military flights domestic passenger flights, pesticide spraying in Thanh Hoa Phat, alerting critical weather condition for fishermen zone IV, creating artificial rain against drought condition, transporting supplies for units in charged of opening the Truong Son road (Vit Thu Lu vallet, Quang Binh province) during September 1959, eliminating bandits at the North West frontier in late 1959, and participating in international duties with Laos. Especially during this time, together with the 919th Regiment, the flight assurance agency organised domestic and international special flights for Ho Chi Minh and other leaders from the Party and the State so they can travel safely, as well as organising flights carrying the Geneva Commissions Oversight Committee to travel in the North.
The Vinh airport command station serves a special flight for President Ho Chi Minh to visit Nghe An in summer 1961
During the resistance war against America, the flight assurance agency served effectively for the 919th Air Transport Battalion and made achievements on battles: "air-to-air" 15th February 1964, "air-to-sea" 7th March 1966, "air-to-land" 12th January 1968 ... Participated in the total attack in spring 1975, Commanded and directed 590 flights, maneuvering troops, military vehicles, artillery, ammunition, food, transferring wounded soldiers to the backline ... These achievements contributed to the great victory in the spring of 1975 Liberation of the South and uniting the country.
Glorious traditions and valuable lessons from 20 years of building and maturing during the war of national liberation laid the solid foundation for the construction of the air traffic management industry, (formerly known as the Information, Navigation, Meteorological divisions) and develop in the new phase of the revolution where the country is unified and oriented toward building Socialism.
