The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on October 27 launched a direct air route linking Hanoi with Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh, contributing to enhancing connectivity and trade between the two neighboring countries with rapidly developing economies. Three days before, the Da Nang Department of Tourism and Vietjet Air on Wednesday organized a ceremony to launch a new flight service linking the vibrant central city of Da Nang with Ahmedabad, a cultural hub of India.
Vietnam Airlines launches Hanoi-Phnom Penh air route
Previously, on July 13, 2024, during his state visit to Cambodia, President To Lam attended a ceremony to launch the Hanoi-Phnom Penh direct route. After more than three months of preparation, the direct route between the capitals of the two countries has officially begun operations.
Utilizing the modern Airbus A321 jet, Vietnam Airlines plans to operate four flights per week on the Hanoi-Phnom Penh route: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
In his speech at the launch ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang emphasized that beyond serving as a geographical bridge for passenger and cargo transit, direct flights also facilitate cultural exchanges, family visits, and tourism between the two nations, thereby fostering mutual understanding.
Minister Mao Havannall, head of Cambodia’s State Secretariat for Civil Aviation, said that the direct route will provide passengers, businesspeople, and both domestic and international tourists with more convenient options while promoting developed tourism packages between the two countries. The direct route also symbolizes the success and strong cooperation across various fields between Cambodia and Vietnam.
The new route increases the total number of air routes between Vietnam and Cambodia operated by Vietnam Airlines to five, including four direct routes between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh and Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, plus one Indochina route. This brings the total number of flights between the two countries to 86 per week.
Da Nang – India’s Ahmedabad new flight service launched
At the opening ceremony of a new direct flight route connecting Da Nang and Ahmedabad, Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Anh Thi highlighted the significance of this milestone in strengthening ties between Da Nang, a prominent tourist hub in Vietnam, and Ahmedabad. This direct route aims to make travel between the two cities more accessible, fostering tourism, and facilitating growth in areas such as economy, education, culture, and technology. In 2024, Da Nang’s tourism industry saw impressive achievements, including welcoming over 8.67 million visitors, of which 3.17 million were international, with 139,086 arrivals from India alone, despite no previous direct flights.
Da Nang has become increasingly popular among Indian tourists, particularly as a high-end travel and wedding destination. The city has hosted several large-scale Indian weddings, serving over 1,200 guests in recent years, and has been the choice for 20 Indian MICE groups. Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Anh Thi noted that the new flight will boost tourism by providing easier access for Indian tourists, who can explore Da Nang’s renowned attractions, rich culinary offerings, and distinct cultural experiences, further solidifying the city’s reputation as Asia’s leading festival and event destination.
The new Da Nang-Ahmedabad flight route operates twice weekly using Airbus A320 aircraft, allowing for convenient travel between the two cities. Flights depart from Da Nang on Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving in Ahmedabad the same evening, with return flights departing early the following day. To celebrate the inaugural flight, the Da Nang Department of Tourism and Vietjet Air welcomed passengers with special gifts and performances, marking the beginning of a new travel era between Vietnam and India.
To promote the route and strengthen tourism relations, Da Nang hosted a family trip for 20 Indian travel companies and a press trip with 19 journalists to showcase its key tourist destinations, including Ba Na Hills and Hoi An. Da Nang is committed to promoting itself within the Indian market through numerous initiatives, such as organizing events in Mumbai and New Delhi, attending South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange, and online marketing on Instagram, all aimed at making Da Nang a premier destination for Indian travelers.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 