Expanding Vietnam's 'soft border'

"Bridge" of aviation

Vietnam Airlines has just announced that in June it will open a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Denpasar (Indonesia), the colorful capital of the famous tourist paradise of Bali. This is Vietnam Airlines' second route to Indonesia, helping to increase the total number of flights to the archipelago country to 14 flights/week.

In 2025, Vietnam Airlines plans to reopen and operate 15 international routes, opening up expectations for strong economic-tourism connections, becoming a major driving force for Vietnam to achieve its goal of welcoming 22-23 million international visitors this year. PHOTO: VNA

To continue to develop and enhance the efficiency of flights to Indonesia in the future, Vietnam Airlines is actively seeking and expanding cooperation opportunities with airlines, partners, and customers in the Indonesian market, building plans to increase operating frequency and improve service quality at all touch points.

On the occasion of the new route opening, Vietnam Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASTINDO) on cooperation in developing tourism between Vietnam and Indonesia. This is the basis for the airline to coordinate with partners to promote two-way tourism, support each other in promotional activities, marketing and cooperation on aviation products and services.

Vietnam Airlines representative said: Over the years, Indonesia's tourism market has always been considered the largest in Southeast Asia with the 4th largest population in the world. The total number of air passengers between Vietnam and Indonesia will reach more than 800,000 in 2024, an increase of 61% compared to 2019.

The opening of a direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Denpasar not only brings new options for tourists, but also facilitates the strengthening of economic, cultural and social connections between the two countries, contributing to enhancing the position of Vietnam Airlines in developing a flight network connecting famous destinations in the region. Indonesia is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that Vietnam Airlines operates to two destinations.

"This new route is also one of 15 international routes that the airline will reopen and operate this year to Italy, Denmark, the Middle East, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, etc. Vietnam Airlines' route opening activities in 2025 will contribute to expanding the country's "soft border" through strengthening trade connections and promoting Vietnamese culture and people. This is also the mission that the airline has carried out during its 30 years of establishment and development since 1995," a representative of Vietnam Airlines emphasized.

GRAPHICS: IMAGINE

Lots of room to explore

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia has grown increasingly deep and effective, especially since the two countries established a strategic partnership (June 2013).

Since 2012, direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta operated by Vietnam Airlines have become an important bridge in trade, economic, political and cultural activities between the two countries and promoting Vietnamese values to the world.

The operation of Vietnam Airlines to Denpasar, the second destination in Indonesia, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia is expected to bring many prospects for cooperation in the future, especially in the field of tourism, because the Indonesian market is considered the largest in Southeast Asia, the 4th largest population in the world, with great potential to attract tourists and promote trade.

In recent times, the number of Indonesian tourists to Vietnam has grown strongly and vice versa, Vietnam is also a market with potential sources of tourists to Indonesia. With many similarities such as great potential in developing the marine economy, rich cuisine and hospitality, Vietnam and Indonesia have many opportunities to strengthen cooperation, develop marine tourism, towards attracting more international tourists, at the same time promoting people-to-people exchanges, further tightening bilateral relations, and developing together sustainably.

Regarding trade activities, bilateral import-export turnover between Vietnam and Indonesia exceeded 16 billion USD by the end of 2024. Export turnover of Vietnamese goods to Indonesia focuses on agricultural products such as rice, coffee, rubber and seafood products, processing and manufacturing industries such as mobile phones and components, construction materials, etc.

In contrast, Vietnam imports from Indonesia items such as coal, palm oil, raw plastics, animal feed, etc. Notably, this is also the first year Vietnam exports electric cars to Indonesia, contributing to reducing the trade deficit in relations between the two countries. The average growth rate of Vietnam - Indonesia trade in the period 2010 - 2022 reached an average of 12%/year and continued to maintain growth momentum in recent years. In the context of the world and regional economies continuing to have many profound changes, the relationship between the two countries is facing great opportunities to improve efficiency, deepen economic and trade cooperation activities, towards the goal of bringing bilateral trade turnover to 18 billion USD soon.

Regarding investment activities, Indonesian enterprises were the earliest investors present in Vietnam, right after Vietnam implemented the renovation policy, opening up to foreign investors. Many large Indonesian enterprises have invested capital in Vietnam such as Ciputra, Traveloka, PT Vietmindo Energitama, Japfa Comfeed Vietnam, Semen Indonesia Group...

On the other hand, Indonesia is also one of the markets chosen by many Vietnamese enterprises as an investment destination, such as FPT, Viet Thai Group, Dien May Xanh... In 2024, Vietnamese investors invested more than 664 million USD abroad in 31 countries and territories. Of which, Indonesia is the second largest country attracting Vietnamese investment capital, accounting for 20.7% of the total investment capital of Vietnamese enterprises abroad and increasing 227 times compared to 2023.

By opening a direct flight to Denpasar, Vietnam Airlines continues to affirm its role as the national airline in its efforts to expand its flight network, strengthen Vietnam's connection with the world, and accompany the country in the new era.

In the first phase, from June 1, Vietnam Airlines will operate 4 flights per week on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and will increase to 7 flights/week from July. Flights are operated by Airbus A321 aircraft, providing a comfortable and convenient experience for passengers.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mo-rong-bien-gioi-mem-viet-nam-185250308223343737.htm