Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the upcoming launch of the first non-stop passenger services between Vietnam and Queensland, during a visit to Hanoi.

Vietjet will begin twice weekly services between Ho Chi Minh City and Brisbane from 16 June.

Speaking at a Bilateral Meeting on Vietnam-Australia relations with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister Albanese said: 

"I am especially pleased to acknowledge today the announcements by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet of increased direct flights to Australian capitals. And in the case of Vietjet, direct flights, for the first time, to beautiful Brisbane in the leadup to its hosting the Olympics in 2032, of course."

The Prime Minister praised the new service which comes 50 years since the Whitlam Government officially recognised the Vietnamese Government.   

"That will help the people-to-people relations as well between us, because this is relationship built through infrastructure and economic activity. But what it comes down to is a relationship between our people that we need to grow in the future."

The Vietjet flights were secured with Queensland’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, a partnership between Queensland’s international airports and the Queensland Government. 

"The Prime Minister is right. These flights will grow our people-to-people connections. We can’t wait to welcome the first plane load of visitors from Vietnam in just under two weeks’ time," according to Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff.

"Vietnam is a rapidly growing market for Queensland and we are delighted to have Vietjet join the BNE family."

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