Bamboo Airways’ inaugural flight from Melbourne to Hanoi took off today, marking the first direct connection between the two cities.

Bamboo Airways will initially operate one return flight per week between Melbourne and the Vietnamese capital city using Boeing 787 aircraft.

The airline also has a weekly non-stop service between Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh City, which began in February this year.

Melbourne Airport General Manager of International Recovery Jim Parashos said that the new route is great news for Australian holiday makers and for the Vietnamese community.

“Australians love visiting Vietnam, and Bamboo Airways’ non-stop services provide great travel options between the two countries,” he said.

“For the large Vietnamese community here in Australia, it will also provide an essential connection to family and friends back home, as well as enable international students from Vietnam to come down under to study at our world-class higher learning institutions.

“Bamboo Airways has shown its commitment to Australia by developing multiple new routes in quick succession, even in the middle of the pandemic, and we are once again thrilled to be part of their ever-expanding plans.”

Truong Phuong Thanh, Deputy General Director of Bamboo Airways, added: “Melbourne-Hanoi is the second regular route to Melbourne and the third route to Australia that we operate after Vietnam reopened the international network from February this year.

“Our Melbourne-Hanoi route comes into operation with a promise of convenience, time-saving, and a hassle-free travel experience, especially when Bamboo Airways is the first and only Vietnamese airline to operate this non-stop regular service.

“In addition, we expect this Melbourne-Hanoi route will further strengthen its crucial role as an aviation bridge and make a substantial contribution to Vietnam and Australia relations in all aspects.”