Fuelled by a vibrant domestic market and rapidly growing international traffic, Vietnam Airways is well on the way to establishing itself as a major force in Southeast Asia. Airliner World’s Craig West travelled to Hanoi to hear about the flag carrier’s bold ambitions.
Vietnam has long been considered one of the jewels of southeast Asia’s crown, renowned for its breath-taking natural beauty, delicious food and fascinating culture. Its mix of awe-inspiring landscapes, sprawling cities and pristine beaches make it a popular tourist destination, but the nation is yearning for more. Speaking at the Vietnam Economic Forum in early January, Prime Minister Nguyêñ Xuân Phúc expressed his desire to transform the country “from a beautiful girl to a new economic tiger in Asia”.
Once blighted by a long history of colonialism, communism, war and poverty, the country is now blossoming and has one of the fastest-growing economies not just in the region, but the world. Aviation is expected to be one of the key pillars of this evolution, and the industry is already playing a crucial role in driving the development of its home market. Annual passenger growth in the five years from 2010 stood at a remarkable 15%, with …
