They also said reports that the plane had crashed of the South Vietnamese coast had not been confirmed, nor could they rule out a terrorist attack or a complete loss of fuel.
The Vietnamese Navy claimed its military radar had recorded the plane crashing into the sea about 250km south of Phu Quoc Island, a popular Vietnamese tourist resort near Cambodia. That, too, remained unconfirmed.
Another report claimed the plane had suddenly plunged 200m and changed course shortly before all contact was lost. Aviation experts say this could have been due to a catastrophic engine failure, the pilots taking evasive action to avoid another aircraft, or an explosion.
But late into the night airline officials were still saying they simply did not know what had happened.
What is known is that three hours and 40 minutes afte takeoff the flight ceased all contact with air traffic control near Ca Mau province in southern Vietnam.
Since then, no emergency message nor distress beacon has been heard.
“Normally, with a situation on a flight, they have time to check systems, activate emergency beacons, talk to other aircraft nearby and air traffic control,” Adam Susz from the the Australian and International Pilots Association said.
“The thing about this type of incident is it seems to happen instantly.
“That’s probably the last thing we want to hear is that it is a very sudden and unexpected sign.”
Mr Susz said aircrafts were normally in constant communication with air traffic control, typically every 30 to 60 minutes, either by satellite or VHF.
Chinese and Thai authorities said the Boeing 777-200 did not enter their airspace.
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