Vietnam Airlines has recently initiated a direct flight service between Vietnam and the Philippines, marking its position as the first Vietnamese airline to provide a direct link to the archipelagic country.
The first flight, designated VN648, took off from Ho Chi Minh City at 12:50 AM on June 17 and arrived at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 4:20 AM on the same day.
The airline will schedule seven weekly flights connecting the two Southeast Asian nations, with four from Ho Chi Minh City to Manila and three from Hanoi to Manila.
The airline recognizes the Philippines as a market with significant potential and aims to cater to tourists, business travelers, and the Vietnamese community in the Philippines, which numbers close to 30,000, as well as the approximately 7,000 Filipinos residing in Vietnam.
Vietnam has been gaining popularity among Filipino tourists due to its close distance, reasonable travel expenses, and vibrant cultural scene. Conversely, the Philippines is a favored travel choice for Vietnamese tourists.
With the strengthening strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines, the commencement of Vietnam Airlines’s direct flights is anticipated to foster a multitude of prospects for tourism, commerce, socio-economic progress, and cultural exchange between the two countries.