Vietnam Airlines launches Hanoi - Chengdu air service

By VNA June 26, 2024 | 03:13 pm PT

A Vietnam Airlines aircraft prepares to land at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has launched a direct air route linking Hanoi with China’s Chengdu city, with a frequency of four flights a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The first flight, coded VN 552, departed Noi Bai International Airport at 11 p.m. on June 25 (Hanoi time) and landed at Tianfu International Airport of Chengdu at 2:05 a.m. on June 26 (Chengdu time).

The flight back, coded VN 553, took off at 3:05 a.m. (Chengdu time) and arrived in Hanoi at 4:20 a.m. (Hanoi time) on June 26.

This route is an important part of Vietnam Airlines' strategy to expand its international flight network, making it easier for tourists to travel between Vietnam and China.

China surpassed South Korea to become Vietnam's largest source of tourists in May with 357,907 arrivals, or nearly 40% of all foreign visitors.

It marked the first time China regained its status as the biggest feeder market since it reopened its borders in March 2022.

Before the Covid pandemic China used to be Vietnam's top source of visitors, but lost the position to South Korea after reopening.