Addressing the ceremony, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara noted that the airline's resumption of flights between Bangkok and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is important to the tourism industry and economy of each country.
Last year, Thailand welcomed more than 500,000 Vietnamese tourists, while over 200,000 Thais visited Vietnam, he said, noting that the numbers are expected to double this year.
The Thai Deputy PM described the resumption as a major stride and a symbol of the close ties between Vietnam and Thailand, especially in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership (2013-2023).
Nguyen Trung Khanh, head of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, highlighted the bilateral tourism cooperation, saying Vietnam has learned from Thailand's experience in tourism product development and promotion, and support to businesses, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the first 10 months of 2023, Vietnam served about 10 million international visitors, of whom 500,000 were Thais, and some 900,000 Vietnamese visited Thailand in the period, he said.
He expressed the hope that Vietnam's tourism sector and Thai Airways will coordinate to launch joint tourism products to help lure holidaymakers from third countries.
Korakot Chatasingha, a representative from Thai Airways, said with the service called Royal Orchid, Thai Airways will operate two flights between Bangkok and Hanoi and two others between Bangkok and HCMC each day.