Prime Minister attends 30th anniversary of Vietnam – Australia direct flight

On March 5, 2024, in Melbourne, Vietnam Airlines held a ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam - Australia direct flight and welcomed the 6 millionth passenger on this route.

The event took place within the framework of the official visit to Australia by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation.

In the early 1990s, Vietnam Airlines operated flights to Australia with irregular monthly flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney, Melbourne using Boeing 767 and Airbus A310 aircraft. In the following years, the airline opened additional regular direct flights to Australia and continuously increased the frequency of flights.

To date, the airline operates nearly 30 flights per week on five routes including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City – Melbourne; Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City – Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City – Perth. All routes are operated by wide-body Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft according to international 5-star service standards.

In the past 30 years of operating in the Australian market, Vietnam Airlines has operated more than 12,800 flights, transporting 6 million passengers and nearly 170,000 tons of cargo. This result has shown the effectiveness and strong contribution of the route to the relationship between Vietnam and Australia.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that today's celebration marks a great achievement of Vietnam Airlines in its role as a connection between Vietnam and Australia.

Vietnam Airlines' 30 years of flight operations have had remarkable results. However, this is only the first step, the foundation for acceleration and breakthrough in the next 30 years, continuing to contribute to promoting the aviation economy in particular and the development of the two countries in general.

The Prime Minister also requested that Vietnamese ministries and sectors strengthen their role in state management, remove difficulties, and actively support airlines to overcome difficulties and challenges, develop rapidly and sustainably, contributing to promoting the country's economy and enhancing Vietnam's position in the international arena.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister also thanked Australia, specifically Australian citizens, for choosing Vietnam's airline with affection and for the development of relations between the two countries.

Vietnam and Australia officially established diplomatic relations in 1973. After more than 50 years, the relationship between Vietnam and Australia has continued to grow.

In 2018, the two countries officially announced the establishment of a Strategic Partnership and are now moving towards a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is expected to be upgraded soon. Vietnam and Australia are each other's leading trade partners, with huge room for trade growth and many opportunities for cooperation in many areas.

In particular, tourism cooperation between the two countries is being promoted and Vietnam is becoming an ideal destination for Australians, ranking 11th in the list of most chosen countries.

In the aviation sector, 2023 recorded a 23% growth in passenger capacity across the Australian flight market compared to 2019. Compared to other international markets that Vietnam Airlines is operating, Australia is the market with the best growth rate.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, spoke at the ceremony.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, affirmed: “As the National Airline, Vietnam Airlines has had a commercial presence in Australia since the early 90s to promote cooperation opportunities in the aviation sector, serving as a bridge for the development of two-way trade, investment and tourism.

Since then, the airline has continuously researched to increase frequencies and expand its flight network to new destinations to perfect its flight routes between the two countries and maintain its position as the main airline connecting Vietnam and Australia."

Vietnam Airlines has been strengthening cooperation with partners and customers in Australia to develop products and diversify services, thereby continuously bringing outstanding benefits to passengers. In particular, the airline continues to focus on coordinating with agencies, tourism companies and Australian partners to promote tourism and promote destinations of the two countries .

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/thu-tuong-du-le-ky-niem-30-nam-duong-bay-thang-viet-nam-australia-a652530.html