Hanoi (VNA/VNS) - National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia’sMinistry of Tourism have signed a tourism developmentcooperation agreement that runs through 2021.

The signing ceremony took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on February 26 underthe witness of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and GeneralSecretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, who paid a State visit toCambodia on February 25-26.

As one of airlines that carries the highest volumes of passengers to Cambodia,Vietnam Airlines said it would make an important contribution to thedevelopment of the tourism in "Southeast Asia’s golden land" throughthis cooperation agreement.

According to the agreement, the airline will promote Cambodian tourism throughfairs in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism to build commontourism products and organise workshops.

Vietnam Airlines will consider opening new routes connecting Ha Long Bay and DaNang to Cambodia’s destinations including Siem Reap, Phnom Penh andSihanoukville.

The carrier will also support the provision of free tickets for Cambodianofficials and experts attending workshops and training programmes for resourcedevelopment; create employment opportunities at the airline for outstanding studentsin the tourism industry; implement marketing programmes; and introduce productsto key markets to improve the quality of travel and accommodation services inCambodia.

CEO of Vietnam Airlines Duong Tri Thanh said the cooperation between VietnamAirlines and Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism meant consolidating and expandingthe fundamental relationship between the two countries.

“Vietnam Airlines is delighted to be the ‘air messenger’ along with Cambodia inthe fields of aviation tourism and trade promotion, contributing to boostingthe Cambodian economy,” Thanh said.

In 2018, the two-way passenger volume of Vietnam and Cambodia on VietnamAirlines was more than 700,000 seats.

Vietnam Airlines has operated the route connecting Vietnam with Cambodia formore than 40 years. The carrier is currently operating two routes acrossIndochina and three direct routes to Cambodia including Hanoi-Siem Reap, HCMCity-Siem Reap and HCM City-Phnom Penh with a total frequency of 56 flights perweek.

In addition, Cambodia Angkor Air also operates routes from Da Nang to SiemReap, and between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville,with a total frequency of 56 flights per week.

It is expected that from April 2019, Vietnam Airlines will run four flights perweek on the Da Nang -Siem Reap route. – VNS/VNA