Vietjet is set to expand operations between Melbourne and Vietnam with the announcement of a new direct service to Hanoi. 

 In addition to VietJet’s daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City, the twice weekly service to Hanoi will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays using an Airbus A330, with the first service due to arrive in Melbourne on 4 June. 

 Vietjet chose Melbourne as its first Australian destination when it launched services from Ho Chi Minh City in April last year. 

 The airline is one of south-east Asia’s fastest growing low-cost carriers and offers Australian travellers an extensive network of onward connections through both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

Vietnam has been one of Melbourne Airport’s best performing post-pandemic international markets, with traveller numbers in 2023 up 37% on 2019.   

Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the announcement was a sign that the liberalisation of bilateral agreements between the two countries in December last year was having an effect.  

“The expansion of bilateral agreements gives airlines like VietJet the certainty they need to invest and expand operations in Australia,” he said. 

“This additional capacity will provide further vital direct links for study, trade and tourism between Vietnam and Australia at the same time as putting significant downward pressure on airfares.   

“Outbound, Vietnam is now in the top ten travel markets for Melbourne and inbound we are the number one destination in Australia for Vietnamese visitors, so we expect this service to be a very popular one.  

“Prior to the pandemic traveller numbers to Vietnam were well behind other south-east Asian markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia, but in 2024 those figures have flipped with Vietnam now leading the way.” 

 The new service will depart Hanoi at 17:10 (local time) on Mondays and Fridays, with the return service departing Melbourne for Vietnam at 7:30 (local time) the following day.