Lam Dong promotes comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam Airlines

(LĐ online) - On May 3, in Da Lat City, Comrade Nguyen Thai Hoc - Acting Secretary of Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee, along with leaders of the Provincial People's Committee and a number of local departments and branches, had a working session with Vietnam Airlines Corporation led by Mr. Le Hong Ha, General Director of Vietnam Airlines.

Working scene

The working session focused on evaluating the effectiveness of the comprehensive cooperation program between the two sides in the 2022 - 2026 period; at the same time, proposing effective implementation solutions for the coming time.

Comprehensive Cooperation Plan

According to the report at the working session, Lam Dong and Vietnam Airlines signed a comprehensive cooperation plan for the period 2022 - 2026. Since signing the cooperation agreement, Lam Dong and Vietnam Airlines have implemented many cooperation activities to promote tourism , investment, trade and aviation.

Typical activities include: Propagating and promoting tourism, trade and investment attraction policies on Vietnam Airlines' media channels; coordinating the exploitation of domestic and international flights to and from Da Lat; supporting each other in promoting brands, organizing cultural events, tourism, investment promotion, etc.

Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Thai Hoc expressed his hope that the cooperation program will achieve many positive results, contributing to promoting development for both sides.

However, according to both sides, the cooperation results have not yet met expectations. The cooperation programs have been implemented but are still monotonous, without detailed plans and lacking specificity, leading to low efficiency.

Ms. Lai Thi Thu Trang - Head of Planning and Development Department of Vietnam Airlines made many proposals to the province in cooperation to promote and attract international tourists.

With experience and being a unit with many prestigious partners in many countries around the world, at the meeting, representatives of Vietnam Airlines units also proposed many cooperation proposals with the province to jointly promote the local image, tourism strengths, specialty products, etc.

LAM DONG PROPOSALS TO INCREASE AIR ROUTES AND EXPAND CONNECTIONS

At the meeting, leaders of Lam Dong province and representatives of local departments and branches expressed their hope that Vietnam Airlines would consider reopening some domestic routes, increasing flights to and from two major localities of Vietnam, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; and at the same time, opening more international routes.

Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc Phuc spoke at the meeting.

Director of Lam Dong Province Department of Transport Nguyen Van Gia proposed opening domestic and international flights.

Mr. Nguyen Van Gia - Director of the Provincial Department of Transport said that after many cooperative efforts of both sides, by 2022, Vietnam Airlines had operated 7 domestic routes to and from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Vinh, Hai Phong, Phu Quoc and Can Tho and one charter route to and from Korea. However, up to now, there are only 2 domestic routes Da Lat - Saigon and Da Lat - Hanoi; one charter route to and from Incheon, Korea. This has more or less greatly affected the development, especially tourism of the province.

Director of Lam Dong Department of Planning and Investment Ton Thien San spoke at the meeting.

Chairman of Da Lat City People's Committee Dang Quang Tu said that Da Lat has recently achieved many international awards and is making efforts to implement many cultural, sports and tourism activities to attract international visitors.

Mr. Dang Quang Tu - Chairman of Da Lat City People's Committee said: "Da Lat City currently attracts a large number of tourists every year. Recently, the city has achieved many international awards and is making efforts to implement many activities to attract international visitors.

However, there is currently a lack of international flights to Da Lat. In addition, as a famous tourist city, there are only 2 flights to Da Lat from 2 big cities, which is sad and also very difficult for the city's development.

We hope that Vietnam Airlines will pay attention to increasing the frequency of flights from the two major cities and reopening some flights to Da Lat. The city commits to fully and well implementing the contents of the cooperation agreement with the Company; in addition, it will strive to organize many high-quality tourism attraction activities."

Comrade Nguyen Thai Hoc suggested that Vietnam Airlines increase the frequency of flights on the Hanoi - Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat routes; and reopen flights that have been cut.

Speaking at the meeting, Comrade Nguyen Thai Hoc - Acting Secretary of Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee, expressed his hope that national airline Vietnam Airlines will join hands to promote the local tourism potential.

The Acting Secretary of Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee emphasized: "Lam Dong and Vietnam Airlines both possess prestigious brands. Da Lat, with its reputation as a leading tourist city, attracts visitors from all over the world, while Vietnam Airlines is the leading airline in Vietnam. However, currently, transportation to Da Lat is still limited, especially by road due to the lack of expressways connecting to the national system. Therefore, air transport plays an extremely important role in promoting local tourism."

Ms. Pham Thi Nguyet - Head of Vietnam Airlines Marketing and Sales Department reported on the cooperation results and proposed some potential areas of cooperation between the two sides.

To solve the connectivity problem, comrade Nguyen Thai Hoc suggested that Vietnam Airlines pay attention to cooperating with the province, increasing the frequency of flights on the Hanoi - Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat routes; reopening the cut routes, especially the two important routes Da Nang - Da Lat and Can Tho - Da Lat.

These are effective flight routes connecting not only the locality but also the whole region, where there is a large number of potential tourists to Da Lat; in addition, consider opening more international flights because Lien Khuong Airport will soon be upgraded to an international airport.

Vietnam Airlines General Director Le Hong Ha said that he would accept the opinions of provincial leaders and local departments and agencies and would ask the units to evaluate the ability and opportunities to readjust flight routes to Lien Khuong airport.

Responding to Lam Dong province's comments, Mr. Le Hong Ha - General Director of Vietnam Airlines, said that the airline is facing some difficulties due to a lack of capacity because some of its aircraft are due for engine repair and warranty, and this time is longer than usual due to the global supply chain.

This is also a common situation for many airlines around the world, not just Vietnam. The airline has also sought many solutions to solve the shortage of aircraft, but finding aircraft to rent or increasing flight hours has also encountered many difficulties, so it has not been able to solve the problem.

However, Mr. Le Hong Ha also affirmed that the airline will accept the province's opinions and ask the units to evaluate the ability and opportunities to adjust the flight routes, first considering the two routes Da Nang - Da Lat and Can Tho - Da Lat.

Vietnam Airlines General Director presents Lam Dong Provincial Party Secretary with a painting symbolizing Hanoi capital

The working session between Lam Dong and Vietnam Airlines took place in an open and cooperative atmosphere. With the efforts of both sides, it is expected that the cooperation program in the coming time will achieve more positive results, contributing to promoting the development of both sides.

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