Expanding Vietnam's 'soft borders'

As a leading force in the aviation industry, Vietnam Airlines continuously develops domestic and international routes, contributing to expanding its "soft borders".

Air "bridge"

Vietnam Airlines , the national airline of Vietnam, has announced that it will launch a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Denpasar (Indonesia), the vibrant capital of the famous tourist paradise of Bali, in June. This is Vietnam Airlines' second route to Indonesia, bringing the total number of flights to the archipelago nation to 14 per week.

In 2025, Vietnam Airlines plans to reopen and operate 15 international routes, raising expectations for strong economic and tourism connections, becoming a major driving force for Vietnam to achieve its target of welcoming 22-23 million international tourists this year. (PHOTO: VNA)

To further develop and enhance the effectiveness of its routes to Indonesia in the future, Vietnam Airlines is actively seeking and expanding cooperation opportunities with airlines, partners, and customers in the Indonesian market, building plans to increase flight frequencies and improve service quality at every touchpoint.

On the occasion of the launch of the new route, Vietnam Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASTINDO) on cooperation in developing tourism between Vietnam and Indonesia. This serves as a basis for the airline to coordinate with partners to strengthen two-way tourism promotion, support each other in advertising and marketing activities, and cooperate on aviation products and services.

A representative from Vietnam Airlines stated: For many years, the Indonesian tourism market has consistently been considered the largest in Southeast Asia, with the world's fourth-largest population. The total passenger volume by air between Vietnam and Indonesia is projected to exceed 800,000 in 2024, a 61% increase compared to 2019.

The opening of a direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Denpasar not only provides a new option for tourists but also facilitates the strengthening of economic, cultural, and social connections between the two countries, contributing to enhancing the position of Vietnam Airlines in developing a network of routes linking popular destinations in the region. Indonesia is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia where Vietnam Airlines operates flights to two destinations.

"This new route is also one of 15 international routes that the airline is reopening and operating this year to Italy, Denmark, the Middle East, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea… Vietnam Airlines' route opening activities in 2025 will contribute to expanding the country's 'soft borders' through enhanced trade connections and the promotion of Vietnamese culture and people. This is also the mission that the airline has been fulfilling throughout its 30 years of formation and development since 1995," a representative of Vietnam Airlines emphasized.

GRAPHICS: MINH TUONG

Much untapped potential

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1955, the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia has developed increasingly deeply and effectively, especially since the two countries established a Strategic Partnership (June 2013).

Since 2012, direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta operated by Vietnam Airlines have become an important bridge in trade, economic, political, and cultural activities between the two countries, and in promoting Vietnamese values ​​to the world.

In 2025, Vietnam Airlines plans to reopen and operate 15 international routes, raising expectations for strong economic and tourism connections, becoming a major driving force for Vietnam to achieve its target of welcoming 22-23 million international tourists this year. (PHOTO: VNA)

The launch of Vietnam Airlines' flight to Denpasar, Indonesia's second destination, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia, is seen as opening up many prospects for future cooperation, especially in the tourism sector. Indonesia is considered the largest market in Southeast Asia, with the world's fourth-largest population, offering significant potential for attracting tourists and promoting trade.

In recent years, the number of Indonesian tourists visiting Vietnam has grown significantly, and conversely, Vietnam is also a potential source of tourists for Indonesia. With many similarities such as enormous potential in marine economic development, rich cuisine, and hospitality, Vietnam and Indonesia have many opportunities to strengthen cooperation, develop marine tourism, attract more international tourists, and promote people-to-people exchanges, further strengthening bilateral relations, and achieving sustainable development together.

In terms of trade, bilateral import and export turnover between Vietnam and Indonesia exceeded US$16 billion by the end of 2024. Vietnamese exports to Indonesia are concentrated in agricultural products such as rice, coffee, and rubber, as well as seafood, and manufactured goods such as mobile phones and components, and construction materials.

Conversely, Vietnam imports goods such as coal, palm oil, raw plastics, and animal feed from Indonesia. Notably, this is also the first year Vietnam has exported electric cars to Indonesia, contributing to reducing the trade deficit in the relationship between the two countries. The average trade growth rate between Vietnam and Indonesia from 2010 to 2022 reached an average of 12% per year and has continued to maintain this growth momentum in recent years. In the context of profound changes in the global and regional economies, the relationship between the two countries is facing great opportunities to enhance efficiency and deepen economic and trade cooperation, aiming to achieve a bilateral trade turnover of US$18 billion soon.

In terms of investment, Indonesian businesses were among the earliest investors in Vietnam, right after Vietnam implemented its reform and opening-up policies to foreign investors. Many large Indonesian companies have invested in Vietnam, such as Ciputra, Traveloka, PT Vietmindo Energitama, Japfa Comfeed Vietnam, Semen Indonesia Group, etc.

Conversely, Indonesia is also one of the markets chosen by many Vietnamese businesses as an investment destination, such as FPT, Viet Thai Group, and Dien May Xanh... In 2024, Vietnamese investors invested more than $664 million abroad in 31 countries and territories. Of these, Indonesia was the second largest recipient of Vietnamese investment, accounting for 20.7% of the total investment by Vietnamese businesses abroad and increasing 227 times compared to 2023.

With the launch of direct flights to Denpasar, Vietnam Airlines continues to affirm its role as the national airline in its efforts to expand its flight network, strengthen Vietnam's connectivity with the world, and accompany the country in the new era.

Initially, starting June 1st, Vietnam Airlines will operate four flights per week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, increasing to seven flights per week from July. These flights will be operated using Airbus A321 aircraft, providing passengers with a comfortable and convenient experience.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mo-rong-bien-gioi-mem-viet-nam-185250308223343737.htm