New-age carrier Vietjet Air officially launched flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Brisbane (Australia) on June 16, becoming the first to conduct direct flights between Vietnam and the Australian state of Queensland on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia.

The Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Australia attended an announcement ceremony on June 4, at which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese excitedly welcomed the first flight connecting Vietnam with the city of Brisbane, host of the 2032 Summer Olympics.

“Vietjet’s direct flights between the beautiful city of Brisbane and Ho Chi Minh City will make travel easier between the two localities, countries, and across the region,” Mr. Michael Hickey, Vietjet’s Chief Operating Officer, told the launch ceremony on June 16. “Our crew and leaders warmly welcome passengers on a comfortable, joyful journey with Vietjet.”

For his part, Mr. Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister of Tourism, Innovation and Sport in Queensland, welcomed the historic new service. “Tonight’s arrival of Vietjet’s history-making maiden flight demonstrates the importance and growing closeness of Queensland’s post-pandemic trade partnership with Vietnam,” he said. “It’s terrific to welcome Vietjet to Brisbane as the first-ever Vietnamese airline to establish a direct air connection with Queensland.”

With two return flights a week, on Mondays and Fridays, Vietjet flights leave Ho Chi Minh City at 10.50am and land in Brisbane at 9.55pm (local times). Return flights leave Brisbane at 11.30pm and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 5.10am (local times).

The new route will further meet demand in tourism, trade, and investment among people in the two countries, especially on the east coast of Australia, which is the most crowded part of the country, with eight weekly Vietjet Air return flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne, and now Brisbane.

Vietjet’s flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney and Melbourne will be increased to four return flights a week on each route from September, to meet demand among Vietnamese passengers and to offer opportunities to discover the beautiful nature, special climate, and rich culture of both Vietnam and Australia.