Perth to Vietnam direct flight unveiled

Vietnam Airlines has announced it will offer non-stop flights between Perth and Ho Chi Minh by the end of the year.

The state government and Vietnam Airlines reached the agreement following year-long negotiations to deliver the direct international flights between the two cities as of December 7.  

Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti announced the non-stop flight at Kings Park on Friday morning, which is expected to run three times a week transferring 85,000 people and 6,000 tons of cargo between the nations annually. 

Ms Saffioti said the airline was expected to bolster social and economic opportunities for residents living in the corresponding nations. 

“Vietnam is seen as an essential partner to Western Australia in the future,” she said. 

“There is a very strong people to people relationship and a growing economic relationship. 

“I think from both perspectives, it will assist with Vietnamese tourism, but of course WA tourism too." 

The new flight is expected to create more opportunities for Vietnamese students seeking an Australian education, alongside connecting families across the two countries.

“We know that around the world that if people can get on a plane, not having to transfer really supports parents wanting to send their children to WA and also just facilitates those easy connections,” Ms Saffioti said. 

Vietnamese trade and investment opportunities are also expected to grow based on the strong bond between the two nations, Ms Saffioti added. 

“We believe from a state government perspective that Vietnam is very much a market we want to have close relationships with,” she said. 

“We’ve set up a new invest and trade office for coaching in the city. 

“We’re very much keen to continue that relationship, a very strong economic relationship.” 

The flight is expected to bring 43,000 Vietnamese people into the state each year, on top of the pre-existing average. 

Ms Saffioti said dependent on demand, Australians could expect the addition of more non-stop flights between the two countries. 

The flight was introduced as part of a resurgence strategy to return Western Australia's global reach to pre-Covid levels. 

“We’re now at 92 per cent capacity of pre COVID capacity and were looking to further establish direct links across the globe,” Ms Saffioti said. 

“We have already secured of course the Perth to Rome flight. 

“We have secured flights into the Philippines, into Malaysia and of course into Indonesia.”