Delegates cut the ribbon to launch the new direct air route between Ho Chi Minh City and Perth city of Australia. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – National flag carrierVietnam Airlines on December 7 officially launched a direct air route between HoChi Minh City and Perth city of Australia.
The route now operates three two-way flightsper week, using modern wide-body aircraft Boeing 787.
Nguyen Huu Tung, head representative of Vietnam Airlines in Australia, said theopening of the new route is part of Vietnam Airlines' long-term strategy to expandits flight network to Australia in 2020 – 2025.
With the new route, it aims tointroduce destinations and the hidden beauty of Vietnam to customers of the Westernstate of Australia, thus stipulating tourism demand of Vietnamese andAustralian visitors, he said.
He expressed the hope that the new air route will serve as a catalyst forpromoting investment cooperation activities between the two countries.
Vietnam Airlines will increase the frequency to fiveflights per week in 2024, Tung said, adding that the firm has planned to openone more route connecting Perth and Hanoi. He showed his optimism about the prospect of operating five or sevenflights per week between Perth and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Addressing the launching ceremony, Rebecca Ball, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner of Australia in Vietnam, said this event marks a significantmilestone as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversaryof the bilateral diplomatic ties, adding that the new route contributes to facilitatingtravel of people of both nations.
She noted with her pleasure that the Australiangovernment is closely collaborating with the Vietnamese government in general,as well as with Vietnam's tourism management agencies in particular to increase the number of travelers to each country.
According to Ball, the number of Vietnamesetourists visiting Australia is expected to increase to approximately 270,000 by2028./.
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Delegates cut the ribbon to launch the new direct air route between Ho Chi Minh City and Perth city of Australia. (Photo: VNA) 
