Emirates Strengthens Ties with Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Through New MoUs

Emirates has reinforced its commitment to Vietnam by signing two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Vietnam Airlines and VietJet, aimed at enhancing connectivity and providing more travel options between Dubai and Vietnam’s major cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Agreements Signed at the Vietnam-UAE Business Forum

The MoUs were formalized during the Vietnam - UAE Business Forum, held at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah on October 28. Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, attended the ceremony alongside government leaders, ministers, and business representatives from both nations. During the event, Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Far East, delivered a keynote emphasizing the airline's dedication to expanding its presence in Vietnam, a vital market for trade and tourism since Emirates began service there in 2012.

Strengthening Connectivity with Vietnam Airlines

The first MoU establishes a framework for enhanced cooperation between Emirates and Vietnam Airlines. This includes improving connectivity on existing routes and potential reciprocal loyalty benefits for passengers. The two airlines will also explore collaborations in cargo and technical services to provide seamless travel experiences.

Nguyen Chien Thang, Vietnam Airlines’ Executive Vice President, remarked, “This MoU with Emirates is a significant milestone for Vietnam Airlines. It allows us to leverage our international presence, providing our passengers with enhanced flexibility and convenience.”

New Opportunities with VietJet

The second MoU with VietJet focuses on joint initiatives to promote visitor traffic between the UAE and Vietnam, strengthening the commercial ties between the two carriers. This partnership aims to improve connectivity to popular domestic destinations such as Danang, while offering VietJet customers enhanced access to Emirates’ global network via Dubai on a single itinerary.

VietJet CEO Dinh Viet Phuong expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with Emirates marks the beginning of an official connection with the largest airline in the region, allowing Vietjet passengers to enjoy cost-effective, seamless journeys to international destinations worldwide.”

Economic Ties and Future Growth

The MoUs align with broader efforts from both governments to foster greater tourism and business links. The UAE and Vietnam recently signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to boost trade and investment. In the first half of 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations surpassed $3.2 billion, reflecting a 43% year-on-year increase.

Emirates currently operates daily services to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with its Boeing 777 fleet, providing travelers seamless access to popular destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. In response to rising demand, Emirates will introduce a second daily flight to Ho Chi Minh City starting January 15, 2025, ahead of the Lunar New Year festival.