According to the airline, flight VN31 departed Ho Chi Minh City at 12.05 am. About 37 minutes after take-off, a female passenger of Spanish nationality showed severe symptoms, including seizures and vomiting blood.
The crew immediately called for medical assistance and identified two doctors among the passengers, who provided first aid and advised that the aircraft return to land urgently so the woman could receive emergency treatment.
After assessing the situation and consulting medical advice, the captain decided to turn the aircraft back to Ho Chi Minh City. The crew coordinated with the airline’s operations centre and ground services to arrange medical support on arrival.
The plane landed safely at Tan Son Nhat airport at 1.39 am. The passenger was handed over to medical staff for emergency treatment, accompanied by a family member and airline personnel.
The flight later resumed its journey at 3.04 am, departing nearly three hours behind schedule. The delay also affected onward connections for some passengers.
Vietnam Airlines said all passengers on board supported and agreed with the decision to return, prioritising the saving of the passenger’s life.
