Air New Zealand – the World Best Airline 2017 by AirlineRatings.com, has announced it will continue to operate its seasonal non-stop service to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, following strong customer demand.

For its 2018 season, the airline will operate two direct services a week between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesdays and Saturdays, using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.  This will be the third consecutive year of Vietnam operations.

Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said that there has been a huge appetite for travel to Vietnam by Kiwis since the airline introduced a direct seasonal service to Ho Chi Minh City from Auckland in 2016.

“It’s been fantastic to see so many travelers enthusiastic about Ho Chi Minh as a destination as it’s a great gateway to Vietnam’s tourism experience.  Demand for travel to Vietnam has been particularly strong in the July school holidays,” Wallace said.

“Vietnam is one of the most affordable destinations for Kiwis and offers a memorable experience whether you are flying solo, as a couple, a family or a group of friends. 

It’s not surprising to us that it is starting to become a popular hot spot on the holiday calendar,” he said.

According to Vietnam's tourism statistic, in the first seven months of 2017, the number of Kiwis travelers to Vietnam is 27,203 which increases 119.5 per cent year on year. 

Meanwhile, number of Vietnamese visitors to New Zealand has also been growing rapidly throughout the years with more than 6,000 arrivals by 2016. 

This shows a strong connection between the two countries and great potentials for the flight route between New Zealand and Vietnam.

PV