Direct flights between Vietnam and the United States coming soon

In October, United States and Vietnam representatives met in Hanoi to discuss a bilateral air services agreement that would allow for direct commercial flights between the two countries. Talks for the aviation pact between the two countries began in 1998 but were never realized when negotiations broke down in 2000. A preliminary five-year aviation pact was finally initialled by the two countries that may see U.S. airlines flying to Vietnam in mid-2004 and Vietnam’s airlines flying to the United States in 2005. The agreement will allow two Vietnam and two American carriers to operate these direct services in the first two years, with a third carrier being added in the third year. The airlines are allowed to stop in three selected destinations in Vietnam, in Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City, and five destinations in the United States. American carriers are not allowed to stop for passengers in France, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan or Hong Kong, while Vietnam carriers are not allowed to stop in Japan. Vietnam Airlines is hoping to start its inaugural services to San Francisco seven times a week, due to the large percentage of overseas Vietnamese who live in the area and travel home each year. However, this will not occur until the airline receives 120 million USD in investments, purchases three more aircraft and decides where to stop en route.

Vietnam air news

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines is planning to resume its services to and from Danang and Binh Dinh, which were cancelled in 1998. In late October, four weekly flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney and three weekly flights to and from Ho Chi Minh and Melbourne were added to the airline’s schedule. On 30^th November, the airline introduced direct flights two times a week to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Pusan, located in the Republic of Korea. To accommodate the large number of travellers who will be flying during Tet between 6^th January to 6^th February 2004, the airline has added extra flights to its international routes to and from France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Domestically, 190 extra flights will be added to routes between Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hue and Danang.

On 29^th November, Pacific Airlines resumed its twice weekly direct flight services to and from Danang and Hong Kong. Expect the airline to offer flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore three times weekly, with flights to China, Japan and South Korea available by early 2004.

In December, the Indonesia-based airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air, began offering flights to and from Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City five times a week.

Taiwan-based Far Eastern Airlines is now offering services to and from Danang and Taipei twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airlines has begun offering flight services from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Bejing and vice versa three times weekly. The airline has also express its intentions to form a low-fare airline, in response to other Asian airlines that have done so, including Orient Thai Airways and Thai Airways International.

The Emeraude cruises to Halong Bay

The Emeraude in Halong Bay

In the last issue of New Destinations, we introduced Emeraude Classic Cruises and its new regular service to the beautiful Halong Bay. The replica steamer, owned by French company Apple Tree began its operations in the beginning of December with great success. It is now available to take you on a tour of the thousands of limestone islands in Halong. Please contact Exotissimo at vietnam@exotissimo.com for more details.