Vietnam Airlines marked a significant milestone on July 2, 2024, celebrating the 30th anniversary of its uninterrupted service between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK). This momentous occasion was marked by the arrival of the airline’s 15 millionth passenger, a testament to its enduring role in connecting the two nations. The anniversary also saw Vietnam Airlines forging new partnerships with Korean enterprises, further strengthening the bonds between the two countries.
The airline’s journey began with an inaugural non-stop flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Seoul, marking the beginning of a transformative journey that has significantly enhanced bilateral exchanges in trade, culture, and commerce. Over the years, Vietnam Airlines has expanded its presence, now offering six direct routes connecting major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Cam Ranh to Seoul and Busan. This robust network boasts a schedule of 112 flights per week, ensuring convenient and accessible travel for passengers.
Emphasizing its commitment to comfort and style, Vietnam Airlines utilizes advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, offering passengers a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. In the past three decades, the airline has undertaken 65,000 flights, carrying 15 million passengers and transporting 291,300 tons of cargo between Vietnam and the RoK. Notably, despite facing the significant challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam Airlines has demonstrated resilience, with impressive passenger traffic reaching 562,000 in the initial months of 2024 alone.
Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of Vietnam Airlines, highlighted the airline’s unwavering dedication to the RoK, emphasizing its strategic importance. “We will continue to focus on our network expansion, fleet modernization and ramp up operations in the RoK, and especially elevate service quality at every touchpoint. Our vision is to constantly strengthen cooperation and partnerships with airlines, partners, and stakeholders in the RoK,” he shared.
Further solidifying its commitment to bilateral cooperation, Vietnam Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Korean Air and several RoK travel companies during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to the country. This agreement aims to boost bilateral tourism and investment, fostering the development of innovative aviation products and services.
Vietnam Airlines’ operations have not only facilitated economic and cultural exchanges but have also played a pivotal role in upgrading Vietnam and the RoK’s relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. Before the pandemic, the air route experienced a robust growth rate of 22% annually, showcasing its popularity. Despite the global disruptions, travel numbers have shown resilience, with 4.4 million passengers flying between the two countries in the first five months of 2024. This signifies a continued preference for Vietnam as a prime destination among Korean tourists and the RoK as a favored choice for Vietnamese travelers seeking leisure, study, and employment opportunities.
