Vietnam Airlines opens T3 terminal with a flight bearing the image of Lac Bird

Vietnam Airlines flight VN244, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft with registration number VN-A868 bearing the Lac Bird logo, carrying 229 passengers, took off at 9:30 a.m. on April 19 from Terminal T3 - Tan Son Nhat Airport.

This was the official inaugural flight at Terminal 3, marking the moment the most modern passenger terminal in the country began operations. Before takeoff, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with leaders from various ministries and agencies, visited gate 12 of flight VN244 to personally inspect the boarding process using biometric technology integrated into the VNeID application.

Earlier that day, at 8:00 AM, Vietnam Airlines flight VN243 from Hanoi, also on the same Boeing 787 bearing the image of the mythical Lac bird, landed in Ho Chi Minh City, becoming the first commercial flight to arrive at and use Terminal 3. The aircraft was given a grand welcome with a water cannon salute – a tradition in the aviation industry reserved for flights marking special milestones.

A Vietnam Airlines flight officially inaugurated Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Photo: VNA

The timing of Terminal 3's opening coincides with the upcoming 50th anniversary of national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), further highlighting the symbolic significance of the Lac Bird image - representing the aspiration to soar high, reach far, and the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese nation.

At the inauguration event, Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, shared: "The official opening of Terminal 3 is a major step forward in the modernization of aviation infrastructure. Vietnam Airlines is honored to accompany this special flight featuring the image of the Lac Bird - a symbol of the nation's aspiration to soar high - right as we approach the 50th anniversary of national reunification. This is proof of our commitment to improving service quality, pioneering innovation, and spreading Vietnamese identity on our journey to the world ."

Passengers on flight VN244, the official inaugural flight at Tan Son Nhat Terminal 3, check in.

Also on this occasion, Vietnam Airlines officially opened the new Lotus Lounge at Terminal T3. Located on the 4th floor with an area of ​​330m², the lounge offers a luxurious and comfortable space for Business Class passengers, high-class Golden Lotus members, VIP guests and other priority groups.

From 00:00 on April 19th, Vietnam Airlines flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been moved to Terminal 3. It is expected that by April 28th, the entire domestic network of the airline will have completed the transition to the new terminal, except for flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Con Dao, Rach Gia, and Ca Mau, which will continue to operate from Terminal 1 as currently.

Vietnam Airlines used a special aircraft with a livery printed in the shape of the mythical Lac bird at the inauguration ceremony of Tan Son Nhat Terminal 3.

The commissioning of Terminal 3 – the largest and most modern passenger terminal in the country – along with significant innovations in Vietnam Airlines' operations, once again affirms the pioneering role of Vietnam's national airline. On its journey of " soaring with the nation ," Vietnam Airlines continues to spread Vietnamese identity, connecting Vietnam with the world through world-class and meaningful flying experiences.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vietnam-airlines-khai-truong-nha-ga-t3-bang-chuyen-bay-mang-hinh-anh-chim-lac-185250419151435709.htm