Bangladesh-Vietnam direct route to begin in December

Initially, there will be charted flights between Hanoi and Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, with a plan to start regular flights in phases based on passenger demand, The Business Standard newspaper reported, citing Taslim Amin Shovon, director and CEO of Bangladesh-based InnoGlobe Travel and Tours Limited.

"It takes a lot of time and money to travel from Bangladesh to Vietnam as passengers always have to go via a third country. If direct flights are launched, it will be economical in all aspects," he added.

Before the pandemic, Vietnam Airlines was the only domestic carrier to operate a direct route from Ho Chi Minh City to Dhaka, which has not been resumed.

Vietnam reopened its borders and resumed pre-pandemic visa policies since March 15.

So far this year Vietnam has received only 1.87 million foreign visitors, or 30% of its full-year target of five million.