Vietnam’s low-cost carrier Vietjet Air will operate direct flights to Russia in July 2022, according to an announcement on Thursday with the attendance of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc who is in the ongoing visit to Moscow.

Vietjet announced on Dec 2 the non-stop flights between Vietnam and Russia with the attendance of Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C). Photo: VNA

The flights will connect Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Nha Trang with Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport in a 10-hour each route twice a week from next year.

Speaking at the launching ceremony on Dec 2, Ambassador of Vietnam to Russia Dang Minh Khoi said the non-stop flights indicate a good example of the Vietnam-Russia economic relations, undoubtedly boosting trade relations and tourism flows between the two countries.

Vietjet is ready for international routes. We will continue to invest in a modern fleet of aircraft and will expand our intercontinental flight network in the near future. I believe that the routes to Russia will reflect our product and service commitments to customers,” said Vietjet’s CEO Dinh Viet Phuong.   

Russia is a lucrative outbound market. Russia is already Vietnam’s largest European source market. The number of Russian travelers to Vietnam has surged in recent years. Before the pandemic flared up in early 2020, Vietnam welcomed nearly one million Russian visitors in 2019.

So far, Russian carriers have operated seasonal charter flights between Russia and Vietnam, but VietJet would be the first Vietnamese airline and the first low-cost carrier to serve the routes. According to ForwardKeys, the growing number of Russian visitors to Vietnam was attributed to a surge in the seating capacity from Russia to Vietnam, which was up 153% in 2019.

Foreign media quoted Stephan Roemer, CEO of Diethelm Travel Group, as saying: “Vietnam is definitely experiencing tremendous growth in demand from the Russian market.”

In 2019, Russia is the sixth-largest source market for Vietnamese tourism, with mainland China topping the list, followed by South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the US.

Vietnam has emerged as a favorite destination in the post-pandemic thanks to its natural scenery, reasonable prices, and friendly people. Of tourist attractions, Hanoi is a political, economic and cultural center that offers routes to famous places like Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Trang An in the north. Ho Chi Minh City, meanwhile, is a dynamic city with financial and economic hubs. Nha Trang is the most favorite place in Vietnam for Russian visitors with typically tropical weather, world-class beaches, and amazing food.