VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam Airlines is trying to open the direct route between HCM City – Mumbai this winter.

On May 19, at a meeting with the Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang, the Ambassador of India to Vietnam Preeti Saran said that last November, Indian airline Jet Airways launched an air route from Mumbai to Ho Chi Minh City, transit in Bangkok.

However, this route is not effective due to the long flight time. The Ambassador wanted to open a direct route between the two countries as the two governments had planned.

According to the Indian Ambassador, India is the world’s second most populous country, with economic growth rate in 2014 of 8%; trade between the two countries has achieved good results. The open of a direct air route will help promote two-way trade growth.

Minister Dinh La Thang said the current collaboration among the three airlines of India and Vietnam in exploring the air route India - Bangkok - Vietnam is not good, with the flight frequencies under expectation. India and Vietnam are large economic markets, with the distance of only 4-5 flying hours, so it is possible to set up the non-stop air route.

Vietnam Airlines said that it is trying to launch a direct flight between HCM City – Mumbai in the winter 2015.

According to experts, the direct air route to India will contribute to promote cooperative relations between Vietnam and India in various fields, particularly tourism. Many travel agencies of Vietnam want to take tourists to India so the potential of cooperation in this field is huge.

Minh Thai