Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Vietnam Airlines had a chance to access about 10,000 potential customers at the 56th annual Malaysia MATTA Fair held in Kuala Lumpur from April 18-20, showcasing its range of services and reinforcing Vietnam’s appeal as a top travel destination, its Chief Representative in Malaysia Hoang Minh Tri told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter.
The three-day event, a premier platform for travel promotion, spotlighted Vietnam Airlines’ newly resumed Hanoi–Kuala Lumpur route and enhanced connectivity to popular destinations like Sa Pa, Ha Long, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. These routes continue to attract Malaysian travellers and international tourists based in Malaysia, with the airline serving as a preferred gateway for connecting flights.
To capitalise on this demand, Vietnam Airlines partnered with local tour operators to launch tailored travel packages highlighting Vietnam’s natural beauty and hospitality. The strategy is paying dividends: in the first quarter of 2025, over 54,000 Vietnamese visitors traveled to Malaysia, signaling robust two-way tourism growth.
Vietnam Airlines currently operates seven weekly round-trip flights between Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City. The resumed Hanoi – Kuala Lumpur route is set to boost the airline’s seat capacity in the Malaysian market by over 40%, catering to rising demand from global and regional travellers.
Datuk Manoharan Reriasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, underscored Vietnam’s importance as a key ASEAN tourism market. Despite a dip in Vietnamese arrivals in 2024, the outlook is bright, fueled by restored direct flights and growing interest in both destinations.
A highlight of the fair was the launch of the MATTA Eco-Sustainable Tourism Initiative (MESTI), which promotes cultural preservation, marine and wildlife conservation. The initiative aligns MATTA’s activities with global sustainability standards, while equipping its members with the tools and knowledge needed to engage in responsible tourism practices.
The 2025 MATTA Fair set a record with 1,754 booths across eight halls, up from 1,590 in September 2024. Organisers anticipate over 210,000 visitors and 270 million MYR (61 million USD) in sales, surpassing the previous edition’s 190,000 visitors and 250 million MYR./.
