National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attends the 30th anniversary of Vietnam Airlines

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and delegates perform a ceremony to welcome Vietnam Airlines' 100,000th flight to China. Photo: VNA

12 million passengers, 166,000 tons of cargo

The ceremony was attended by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue; Head of the Central Mass Mobilization Commission Bui Thi Minh Hoai; Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quang Phuong; Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, members of the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation and representatives of leaders of ministries and sectors of the two countries.

At the ceremony, Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines affirmed that the decision to open a flight route to China 30 years ago had strategic commercial significance for Vietnam Airlines, serving as an important bridge in trade, economic, political and cultural activities between the two countries and promoting Vietnamese values to the world, deepening the Vietnam - China relationship.

Since the first flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi with Guangzhou 30 years ago, Vietnam Airlines has continuously expanded its flight network to other locations in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming..., using modern Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Currently, the airline is operating flights connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai with 33 round-trip flights per week. In the three decades since entering the Chinese market, Vietnam Airlines has operated 100,000 flights, transporting nearly 12 million passengers and 166,000 tons of cargo. Notably, overcoming the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam Airlines was one of the first airlines to resume flights to China and actively maintained aviation and tourism promotion activities there after the pandemic was controlled.

Vietnam Airlines pledges to continue seeking opportunities, increasing frequency, opening new routes, and improving service quality, thereby promoting its role as a reliable aviation bridge between the two countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Qu Guang Ji, Deputy General Director of China Southern Airlines, highly appreciated Vietnam's development potential, saying that the airline has cooperated with Vietnam Airlines for many years. In the current period, the two airlines continue to expand cooperation to the main routes between the two countries. In the coming time, China Southern Airlines will continue to cooperate closely with Vietnam Airlines, opening many new routes, meeting the travel needs of the people, serving the development of each country.

Air connectivity contributes to economic and social development

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang expressed his pleasure to attend the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam-China air route. The air route has special significance, contributing to the economic and social development and the good friendship between the two countries. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the celebration is an important milestone for the Vietnamese aviation industry in general and Vietnam Airlines in particular.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang speaks at the ceremony. Photo: VNA

Over the past 74 years, the relationship between Vietnam and China has continuously developed strongly in many fields. The two countries continue to deepen and elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, building a community of shared future between Vietnam and China of strategic significance.

In the economic and trade field, China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner for many years, with import and export turnover reaching approximately 172 billion USD in 2023.

In the field of tourism and aviation, China has always been an important market for the Vietnamese aviation industry. The number of Chinese tourists accounts for a high proportion, about 30% of the total number of international visitors to Vietnam and has a good spending level. In contrast, Vietnamese tourists are among the top foreign tourist markets to China. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has caused great impacts, both sides have made constant efforts to maintain and develop aviation and tourism.

In connecting the two countries, it can be seen that Vietnam Airlines has played an important role, contributing significantly to promoting cultural, trade and tourism exchanges. The total number of passengers carried over the past 30 years has reached nearly 12 million.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that this is a very impressive result. Vietnam Airlines has been very proactive and made efforts to overcome difficulties, currently operating 5 routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to 3 major cities in China: Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai, aiming to open new routes in the future.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang congratulated and highly appreciated the contributions of the leadership, officers and staff of Vietnam Airlines. With their tireless efforts, Vietnam Airlines affirms the role of the national airline in the common development of the aviation industry and the economies of the two countries.

In the future, cooperation between Vietnam and China will continue to develop in many fields, and aviation connectivity will always play a particularly important role. The Deputy Prime Minister asked airlines to continue to increase exploitation and improve service quality; at the same time, he expressed his hope that relevant agencies, departments and sectors of the two countries will create favorable conditions for the aviation industry and Vietnamese airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, to successfully complete their tasks.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his belief that with the close direction of the Party, State, Government, National Assembly and relevant ministries, departments and sectors, and with the capacity and resources of the Vietnamese aviation industry, the Vietnam - China air route will continue to be expanded, contributing to promoting the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises in the fields of aviation and tourism. Photo: VNA

At the ceremony, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and delegates from the two countries witnessed the ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the flight route between Vietnam and China; and to welcome the 100,000th flight of Vietnam Airlines to China.

Also at the ceremony, Vietnam Airlines and China Southern Airlines signed a draft joint venture contract. After approval from relevant authorities, the two airlines will implement the joint venture and enhance coordination and cooperation on flights between Vietnam and China.

Source