Melbourne this week welcomed the inaugural flight from Hanoi to Melbourne by low-cost carrier Vietjet, part of a huge push by the airline into the Australian market.
Vietjet cemented a big year in the Australian market by launching a new route from the Vietnamese capital to Melbourne, with Sydney launching just a few days later. The inaugural Melbourne flight touched down in the Victorian capital on June 4.
“Since Vietjet’s first flight to Australia in April 2023, we have continuously expanded our network connecting the five largest cities in Australia: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide with Ho Chi Minh City,” says Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh. “The Melbourne to Hanoi route further proves our commitment to development by continuing to expand our network and providing quality services between Australia and Vietnam, meeting the demand of locals and tourists. With this new route, we believe VietJet will further grow in the Australian market. We are proud to launch this new route and hope to bring opportunities for Victoria tourists to explore Vietnam and all destinations on our network with 168 routes across Vietnam and internationally.”
A boost for low-cost travel
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the Vietnamese market growth had been one of the silver linings coming out of the pandemic.
“The increased competition and capacity in the market delivers benefits to passengers in the form of cheaper fares, but also provides exporters with access to high value markets,” Parashos said. “Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in the region and a key trading partner with Australia. VietJet’s Hanoi service will complement its current five times a week service to Ho Chi Minh City and will give Victorians new connections into countries as well as other Asian destinations.”
Vietjet launched the Sydney to Hanoi route on June 8, following the Melbourne to Hanoi route. Vietjet currently operates 58 weekly flights connecting Australia and Vietnam.
All passengers flying with Vietjet will also receive free SkyCare travel insurance, covering benefits from health and medical expenses due to accidents and illnesses to flight-related issues (such as flight delays, baggage delays, lost baggage, and personal documents), and 24/7 global medical and travel assistance services.
