UK travellers will now be able to fly direct to Vietnam for the very first time, as Vietnam Airlines announces a new non-stop service from Gatwick Airport. The flights from Gatwick to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City took off today, 9 December.
Travellers were previously only able to fly to Vietnam via regional hubs in Bangkok and Hong Kong.
The service will be twice-weekly on both routes, saving passengers up to two hours’ journey time.
The Hanoi to London flight will depart Vietnam on Mondays and Thursdays at 11.45pm, arriving at Gatwick at 6.20 the following morning. The return flight will depart at midday and land at 6.40am the following day.
The Ho Chi Minh to London flights will depart Vietnam on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11.45pm, landing at Gatwick at 6.20 the following day. From London, the flight pushes back from the gate at midday and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City at 7.20am the following day.
“There is no question that there is potential and a determination to bring the partnership between Vietnam and the UK to a new level. And direct air services, I believe, can definitely deliver enormous economic and social benefits,” said Dr Pham Ngoc Minh, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines (www.vietnamairlines.com).
“With London now on the list, we have expanded our route network to 28 international destinations. Vietnam will now seem so much closer for UK travellers, with flight times cut to 12 hours.”
This new service adds to Gatwick’s aim of becoming London’s gateway to Asia. Other new services to the continent include Air China and Hong Kong Airlines.
“Following the change of ownership two years ago, we have been working extremely hard to attract airlines that open up routes in South East Asia and give passengers a wide choice of destinations to explore,” said Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive of Gatwick Airport.
“There is a growing demand for travel in Vietnam and so we are naturally very excited that Vietnam Airlines has chosen to provide the direct link between the two countries via Gatwick.”
(Image: Phinalanji)
