Hong Kong (VNA) – Vietnam Airlines has officially resumed direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong (China), marking a key step in its international expansion and reaffirming its commitment to global connectivity.
The inaugural flight, VN595, departed from Hong Kong to HCM City on March 30, marking the first regular service on this route after a one-year suspension. This strategic move not only strengthens the carrier's position in the international aviation market but also enhances operational efficiency and connectivity for passengers.
To meet growing travel demand, Vietnam Airlines will initially operate one daily flight on this route using Airbus A321. The service offers a seamless travel option for business professionals, tourists, and those visiting family, reinforcing links between the two major Asian economic and tourism hubs
Nguyen Minh Toan, Chief Representative of Vietnam Airlines in Hong Kong, stressed Hong Kong’s role as a major financial, commercial and aviation hub in East Asia. Since launching flights between Vietnam, including Hanoi and HCM City, and Hong Kong in November 1991, the airline has transported over 5.7 million passengers on more than 46,000 flights to and from Hong Kong International Airport.
As part of its 2025 strategy, Vietnam Airlines is set to restore and introduce 15 key international routes, including services to Italy, Russia, Denmark, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the UAE. The revival of the Hong Kong-HCM City route is expected to facilitate business, trade, and cultural exchanges, strengthening ties between Vietnam and Hong Kong, as well as with other key global markets.
Hong Kong is Vietnam’s fifth-largest foreign investor, with bilateral trade witnessing consistent double-digit growth in recent years. Vietnamese tourism to Hong Kong is also booming, with the number of visitors doubling in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Currently, Vietnam Airlines operates seven round-trip flights per week between Hong Kong and Hanoi. With the addition of the Ho Chi Minh City route, the total number of Vietnam Airlines flights between Vietnam and Hong Kong will double. Starting January 1, the airline has introduced its Upstream Check-in (UCI) service at Hong Kong International Airport, allowing passengers from mainland China and Macau transiting through Hong Kong to complete check-in seamlessly./.
