Vietnam Airlines plane makes U-turn to Hanoi after hit by unknown object

A spokesperson for the Northern Airports Authority said flight VN1207, which took off at 5:15 p.m., returned to Noi Bai Airport at around 6 p.m., and all crew members and passengers were safe.

Authorities found the plane's nose had been dented and there were cracks on the windshield.

The passengers were transferred to another that took off for Can Tho at 7:30 p.m.

"The plane might have encountered unknown objects or collided with a bird or hailstone," the spokesperson said, adding the incident is being investigated.

Flight data website Flightradar24 said the plane had reached Nam Dinh near Hanoi before making a U-turn.

Also on May 19 another plane flying from Vinh was found to have cracks on the windshield and blood smears after it landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC.

A bird strike seems the likely cause, and the aircraft was taken for repairs.