Vietnam Airlines today celebrated 35 years of connecting Vietnam and Australia, marking its 35,000th flight between the two countries and the 7.5 millionth passenger carried on its Vietnam–Australia network. The milestone event was held in Sydney during the State Visit to Australia by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam, alongside a series of initiatives aimed at promoting tourism and strengthening trade and business ties between Vietnam and Australia.
Over 35 years, Vietnam Airlines has operated 35,000 flights and carried 7.5 million passengers between Vietnam and Australia, reflecting the sustained demand for air connectivity and the continued development of the market.
Today, Vietnam Airlines operates 25 round-trip flights per week on five routes, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The services are operated with the airline’s wide-body Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft.
During the first six months of 2026, the Vietnam–Australia air travel market recorded more than 809,000 passengers, an increase of 11.5% compared with the same period in 2025. Average load factors on Vietnam–Australia services remained above 83%, reflecting the market’s continued strong travel demand.
The expansion of air connectivity has closely reflected the deepening of Vietnam–Australia relations. Since the two countries established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aviation has played an increasingly important role in facilitating trade and investment, supporting tourism and strengthening people-to-people links.
Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, said: “Air connectivity is an important enabler of trade, investment and tourism. As international integration deepens, aviation is increasingly recognized as strategic infrastructure that underpins economic growth. Australia remains a key international market for Vietnam Airlines. We will continue to invest in our network, fleet and service quality, while strengthening partnerships across the market. Our focus is to expand connectivity, respond to evolving market demand and contribute to the sustainable growth of travel, trade and tourism between Vietnam and Australia.”
As part of the program, Vietnam Airlines exchanged memorandum of understanding with Trip.com and RMIT University at the Vietnam–Australia Techconnect Forum. The airline also joined Vietnamese tourism promotion agencies and businesses in signing a cooperation agreement with Flight Centre Travel Group at the Vietnam–Australia Tourism Promotion Program. The agreements focus on destination promotion, tourism product development, market expansion, aviation talent development and stronger business-to-business connections, helping to further strengthen cooperation and unlock the potential of the Vietnam–Australia market.
Over the past 35 years, Vietnam Airlines’ network between Vietnam and Australia has grown alongside the development of bilateral relations. As Vietnam’s national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines will continue to strengthen its network, enhance its products and services, and work closely with partners to expand connectivity and support the development of trade, tourism and broader cooperation between the two countries.
