Written by ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Vietjet is to introduce a new service between Melbourne and Hanoi as of June 4.
VietJet already operates daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City and the new twice-weekly service to Hanoi is due to operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays using an Airbus A330.
Vietnam has been one of Melbourne Airport’s best performing post-pandemic international markets with traveller numbers in 2023 up 37% on 2019, according to the airport.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos claimed that the announcement was due to the liberalisation of bilateral agreements between the countries in December last year.
“The expansion of bilateral agreements gives airlines like VietJet the certainty they need to invest and expand operations in Australia,” he said.
“This additional capacity will provide further vital direct links for study, trade and tourism between Vietnam and Australia at the same time as putting significant downward pressure on airfares.
“Outbound, Vietnam is now in the top ten travel markets for Melbourne and inbound we are the number one destination in Australia for Vietnamese visitors, so we expect this service to be a very popular one.
“Prior to the pandemic, traveller numbers to Vietnam were well behind other south-east Asian markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia, but in 2024 those figures have flipped with Vietnam now leading the way.”
The new service will depart Hanoi at 17:10 (local time) on Mondays and Fridays; the return service will depart Melbourne at 7:30am (local time) the following day.
Tasman Aircraft 