![[PR] PR_Ascott and Vimut Hospital_2024](https://www.traveldailynews.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PR-PR_Ascott-and-Vimut-Hospital_2024-400x265.jpg)
Connections within the ASEAN continue to be built up with Vietnam Airlines now flying non-stop from Ho Chi Minh City to Indonesia.
JAKARTA (VNS) — Vietnam Airlines launched a direct route linking HCM City and Jakarta, scheduled for every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The inaugural flight, carrying 143 passengers, landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta last Sunday.
It is the first direct air link between Vietnam and Indonesia offered by Vietnam national carrier. This is also the second new international route that Vietnam Airlines launched this year, after Chengdu out of Hanoi during the summer.
Addressing the opening flight’s landing ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Nguyen Xuan Thuy stressed the importance of the route for the cities and countries.
The connection not only served a growing demand but contributed to strengthen bilateral relations and boost ASEAN connectivity and integration towards an ASEAN Community aviation market by 2015, Thuy said.
On the occasion, Vietnam Airlines offered special discounts on HCM City-Jakarta and HCM City-Jakarta-Bali routes.
The carrier opened also on December 2nd The five flights per week between Hanoi and Phu Quoc. On December 3, Phu Quoc Island located in the Southern part of Vietnam inaugurated its new international airport, the fourth official international gateway for the country.
Phu Quoc International Airport is built on 900 ha in Duong To Commune representing a total investment of VND16.2 trillion (US$775 million). The airport, which has a 3,000m by 45m runway is capable of receiving up to the Boeing 777s and the Boeing 747-400s while its air terminal has an annual capacity for 2.6 million passengers.
(Source: Vietnam News Service)
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
