Q: What unique services and products does Vietnam Airlines (VN) offer?
A: At the moment, Vietnam Airlines is the only full-service carrier operating daily non-stop flights between Australia and Vietnam.
With our modern wide-body A350 and B787 aircraft, we offer three cabin classes, with flat private bed on business class, great leg room and space for premium economy and even economy.
As the national flag carrier, our missions are not only to continuously provide excellent service, but also to showcase the unique Vietnamese culture to all our friends from all over the world.
Additionally, the Lotus membership program offers extra benefits for our frequent flyers and as a member of SkyTeam, passengers can enjoy further benefits and seamless travel with other leading airlines worldwide in the alliance.
Q: Travel between Australia and Vietnam is booming after COVID. How has VN played a major role during this period of change and growth?
A: Vietnam Airlines was the quickest to restore direct flight routes between major Australian cities (Sydney and Melbourne) and Vietnam as soon as travel restrictions eased.
This timely response provided passengers with reliable travel options and contributed to the quick rebound of travel demand between the two countries.
As demand grew, Vietnam Airlines increased the frequency of flights and opened new direct routes to cater to the rising demand.
At the moment VN operates 23 flights per week from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to Vietnam, giving our customers great flexibility to decide their itinerary.
To stimulate travel demand, we have launched various promotional campaigns targeted at Australian travellers, offering discounted fares and exclusive deals.
These campaigns highlighted Vietnam’s appeal as a post-pandemic destination, emphasising the country’s rich culture, food and landscapes, and incentivising both leisure and business travel.
The airline also collaborated with local travel agencies and partners in Australia to create travel packages and tours, promoting Vietnam as a top destination in the post-COVID era. These partnerships helped increase awareness of VN’s routes and services.
Apart from the Australian route, the airline was also quick to resume other key international routes such as Europe, Japan, Korea and South East Asia.
We have also been exploring the potential of launching new routes or increasing the frequency of existing ones.
Since the pandemic was over, Vietnam Airlines has launched two new direct routes between Australia and Vietnam (Melbourne to Hanoi and Perth to Ho Chi Minh) as well as new direct flights to other part of the world like India (New Delhi and Mumbai), the U.S. (San Francisco), Manila, Munich and Milan (2025).
These strategic moves have allowed Australian travellers to access not only Vietnam but also other international destinations through VN’s extensive network, providing a critical bridge for travellers in the post-pandemic period, especially when international services haven’t fully recovered.
Q: Why is the Australian market so important to VN?
A: Australia has a large and growing demand for international travel. Especially after the pandemic, Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for Australian tourists due to its rich culture, scenic landscapes and affordable travel options.
This presents Vietnam Airlines with a significant opportunity to cater to leisure travellers.
Australia is also home to a large Vietnamese community, particularly in cities like Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. This creates a consistent demand for flights between Australia and Vietnam as people frequently travel to visit friends and family.
Vietnam Airlines benefits from this steady stream of passengers, particularly for family reunions and cultural events.
Vietnam and Australia share strong economic ties, with growing trade and investment between the two countries.
Our airline plays a crucial role in facilitating business travel and fostering economic connections, providing convenient flights for entrepreneurs, executives and government officials travelling between the two nations.
Q: With the emergence of new digital technology, are travel agents still considered a vital part of the business?
A: It’s undeniable that digital technology is becoming more and more advanced and is gradually taking over the work that was originally performed by humans. The pandemic even helped to facilitate that process.
However, not everything can be replaced by technology. Travel agents still remain a vital part of the business, particularly in a post-COVID world where many travellers prefer a personalised touch that technology alone cannot replicate.
Agents offer tailored advice, taking into account individual preferences and specific client needs. Their in-depth knowledge of destinations, travel restrictions and access to exclusive deals gives them an edge over online platforms.
When it comes to complex itineraries – whether multi-stop trips, group bookings, or special travel requirements – agents simplify the process, ensuring a seamless experience.
The Australian market, in particular, is diverse, with travellers of varying needs. By working closely with agents, we can better engage with and cater to these different customer segments, reaching them in a more effective and meaningful way.
Vietnam Airlines has maintained a strong, long-standing relationship with agents, relying on their problem-solving expertise and advanced skills to help attract more passengers.
Q: What are VN’s plans for future development, both in the Australian and global markets in general?
A: As Australia is one of our biggest markets, we’re not satisfied with our current frequency of 23 flights per week out of Australia.
Vietnam Airlines is studying the market for the possibility of increasing our flights on both current and new routes.
At the moment we’re looking to have more flights to Hanoi from Sydney and Melbourne and open a new route from Perth to Hanoi.
Darwin and Brisbane are also on the potential list and the fact that Western Sydney Airport will soon be in operation opens up more opportunities for new night flights from Sydney, creating more flexibility which isn’t possible at the moment.
With regard to other regions, Vietnam Airlines is also working on increasing our global network, opening more routes to different parts of the world.
We launched a direct route to Manila in June and will start flying to Munich in October, as well as Milan in July 2025. The extension of our network can also benefit Aussie travellers, as they will have more quality options to fly to those destinations.
Vietnam Airlines is currently running an “Uplifting service” project, which is expected to completely transform our service and get us closer to achieving our vision of becoming a five-star airline in the near future.
