Bamboo Airline operates first direct flight connecting Dien Bien, HCM City hinh anh 1Representative of Dien Bien province's People's Committee and Bamboo Airways at the launching ceremony of new flight route HCM City-Dien Bien. (Photo: VNA)

Dien Bien (VNA) – A Bamboo Airways flight coded QH1592 departing from Ho Chi Minh City arrived at Dien Bien Phu airport in the northern province of Dien Bien on December 3, marking the launch of the first direct air service between HCM City and Dien Bien. 

Operated by budget airline Bamboo Airways, the flight lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes instead of nine hours if using connecting flights.

The carrier plans to operate five flights per week and the frequency will be ramped up based on actual demand.

The flights take off at 10.40am from HCM City and 1.30pm from Dien Bien.

Nguyen Ngoc Trong, deputy director-general of Bamboo Airways said the carrier hopes the operation of the direct flight connecting big socio-economic centres with Dien Bien will promote investment and trade opportunities, thereby creating momentum for socio-economic development in the province in particular and the northwest region in general.

He also said that Bamboo Airways is studying the opening of other direct flights connecting Dien Bien with Hai Phong, Vinh and Da Nang, hopefully to be put into operation in 2022.

According to Le Thanh Do, chairman of Dien Bien Province’s People’s Committee, the direct flights between HCM City and Dien Bien will meet the travel demand of locals and tourists. It will help strengthen the exchange and connection between the two localities and other provinces in southern key economic regions, and attract more domestic and foreign visitors to the province, he said./.

VNA