On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the first direct flight between Vietnam and Australia and within the framework of the official visit to Australia by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a Vietnamese delegation, Vietnam Airlines announced on March 5 that it will continue to focus on coordinating with agencies, travel companies, and Australian partners to boost tourism and promote destinations in the two countries.

Vietnam Airlines first operated flights to Australia in the early 1990s, with an irregular service every month between Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney and Melbourne using Boeing 767 and Airbus A310 aircraft.

In subsequent years, the national flag carrier opened regular direct flights to Australia and continually increased flight frequency. It now operates nearly 30 flights a week on five routes, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - Melbourne; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - Sydney; and Ho Chi Minh City - Perth. All routes use wide-body Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Chinh affirmed that the celebrations mark a major achievement for Vietnam Airlines in its role as a link between Vietnam and Australia.

Its 30 years of flights have seen remarkable results, but this is only the first step, he said, representing a foundation for breakthroughs over the next 30 years and continuing to boost the aviation economy in particular and the development of the two countries in general.

The Prime Minister asked Vietnamese ministries and branches to strengthen their role in State management, remove any difficulties, and actively help all carriers overcome the difficulties and challenges to develop quickly and sustainably and contribute to promoting Vietnam’s economy and enhancing its position in the international arena.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister also thanked Australia, specifically Australian citizens, for flying with Vietnam’s national flag carrier and developing relations between the two countries.

Vietnam and Australia officially established diplomatic relations in 1973, and in the 50 years since have continually grown their relationship.

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 shortly.

Vietnam and Australia are also leading trade partners of each other, with huge space still available for trade growth and numerous opportunities for cooperation in a host of fields. In particular, cooperation in the two countries’ tourism sectors is being boosted, and Vietnam is becoming an ideal destination for Australians, ranking eleventh on the list of most popular countries to visit.

2023 recorded solid growth in passenger capacity in Australia, of 23 per cent against 2019. Compared to other international markets where Vietnam Airlines flies, Australia posts the best growth rate.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Vietnam Airlines, said the national flag carrier has had a commercial presence in Australia since the early 1990s, to promote cooperative opportunities in the aviation sector and act as a bridge for the development of two-way trade, investment, and tourism.

“Since then, the carrier has continually looked to increase flight frequencies and expand its flight network to new destinations, and to improve flights between the two countries and maintain its position as a key airline connecting Vietnam and Australia,” he added.

Earlier, within the framework of the Vietnam - Australia Business Forum, held during Prime Minister Chinh’s visit, Vietnam Airlines and RMIT University announced a strategic cooperation and a joint cooperation agreement on training programs and research solutions related to the aviation field.

Cooperative contents include AI research, data, digital transformation, engineering, and aviation safety, the training of high-quality aviation human resources, student exchange programs, scholarships, and seminars.