Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air will resume flights to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan from Sunday, the companies said, after the Vietnamese government eased restrictions over the novel coronavirus concerns.

Vietnam on Saturday declared a public health emergency over the coronavirus epidemic and said it would halt all flights to and from China including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

Late on Saturday, Vietnam's civil aviation authority lifted ban on flights to Taiwan and on Sunday it said carriers could also temporarily operate flights to Hong Kong and Macao. 

Flights to the Chinese mainland were still suspended.

"Flights to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao will be resumed from today [Sunday]. However flights from Hanoi to Hong Kong and Macao will be suspended starting from February 5," national firm Vietnam Airlines said in its Sunday's statement.

Budget carrier Vietjet Air said it had suspended all flights to and from the Chinese mainland from February 1 but was operating flights to Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The World Health Organization, while declaring the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Thursday, has praised China's response to the outbreak. 

Despite the announcement, the UN body stressed it does not recommend restrictions on trade and travel.

Read more: WHO calls for no restrictions on China's trade and travel amid coronavirus outbreak

Vietnam has confirmed seven cases of the virus. The government also advised its citizens to limit large gatherings.

(With input from Reuters)