From June 15, 2023, Vietnam Airlines will operate new direct flights between Hanoi and Melbourne, the second-largest Australian city, enabling convenient travel and tightening bilateral ties as Vietnam and Australia celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

A market full of potential

Vietnam and Australia have been strategic partners since 2018 and have increased collaboration in many fields. Their 2022 two-way trade turnover reached nearly USD15.7 billion, an increase of nearly 27% compared to 2021. Australia is Vietnam’s 7th largest commercial partner, and Vietnam is Australia’s 10th. About 300,000 Vietnamese people live and work in Australia, as do some 24,000 students, 33% of whom reside in Melbourne. According to the 2023 QS Top Universities Rankings, Melbourne is among the best 10 cities in which to study abroad globally and the best in Australia.

It’s worth noting that this continent’s isolation makes air transport particularly important for Australia’s socio-economic development. In 2019, Australia was a high-revenue market, accounting for 5% of passengers and 9% of international revenues for Vietnam Airlines. As many areas worldwide have yet to fully recover after the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia continues to make an impressive recovery in the aviation market and ranks fourth among Vietnam Airlines’ most important markets in 2022. Vietnam is also an ideal destination for Australian tourists due to its geographic proximity, abundance of natural heritage, and intriguing culture.

Attractive flights

Direct flights between Hanoi and Melbourne are operated by Vietnam Airlines with Airbus A350-900 planes, twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. VN779 flights depart Hanoi at 00:05 and land in Melbourne at 12:30; VN778 flights depart Melbourne at 15:00 and land in Hanoi at 21:35.

This is the fourth Vietnam Airlines route to Australia to use modern Airbus A350-900 planes. This aircraft boasts over 300 passenger seats designed for extra comfort and easy reclining, with Business seats able to recline a complete 180 degrees. More spacious interiors, higher cabin humidity and pressure, wider windows, modern personal screens with interesting entertainment programs, and unique cuisines, all bring passengers unforgettable experiences, superior benefits, and comfort on long-distance flights.

In honor of the new route, until the end of December 31, 2023, Vietnam Airlines is offering special return trips with prices starting from VND15,237,000, equivalent to USD645 (fees and taxes included), for passengers purchasing tickets through all sales channels. In addition, passengers who reserved seats before April 30, 2023, from Hanoi to Melbourne via Ho Chi Minh City can change their tickets to direct flights from Hanoi to Melbourne with no extra charges.

With these new flights between Hanoi and Melbourne, Vietnam Airlines now connects all of Australia’s and Vietnam’s largest cities, becoming the carrier with the most direct flights and highest operating frequency between these two countries. This helps fulfill the diverse needs of many passengers, including travelers connecting between Australia and Europe, Northeast Asia, and India through the gateways of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City via the extensive and convenient international flight network of Vietnam Airlines.