Vietnam resumes direct routes from Hanoi, HCMC to Taiwan's Kaohsiung

By Hoang Phong November 3, 2022 | 11:22 pm PT

The world's tallest bronze Buddha statue in Taiwan's Kaohsiung. Photo by Anh Duong

Low-cost carrier Vietjet Air has reopened direct routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Kaohsiung, a major tourist hub in Taiwan, after prolonged Covid-led suspension.

There would be three weekly flights from HCMC and two from Hanoi, it said in a press release.

The carrier also plans to increase the frequency of flights next month to meet growing travel demand during the year-end season as many overseas Vietnamese return home to celebrate the Lunar New Year, Vietnam’s biggest holiday.

Taiwan resumed visa policies for tourists from Vietnam since last month.

Visitors to Taiwan no longer need to furnish a negative Covid test result or make a medical declaration before boarding.

In recent years, Vietnam has been among the biggest sources of visitors to Taiwan, which has been enjoying a tourism boom.

In 2019, the year before the onset of Covid, it received over 777,000 Vietnamese tourists.

That year, visitor numbers from Taiwan to Vietnam rose 30% to 850,000.

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