HCMC — Vietnam Airlines has launched its direct air service between HCMC and Bali, Indonesia, marking a strategic expansion of the national flag carrier’s Southeast Asia network.
The maiden flight, VN641, departed Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 10:25 a.m. on June 1, carrying 161 passengers aboard an Airbus A321. It landed at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, at 3:00 p.m. the same day.
To celebrate the route’s debut, Vietnam Airlines held welcome ceremonies at both airports and presented commemorative gifts to passengers on the first flight.
Initially, the airline will operate four round-trip flights per week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. From July 2025, service frequency will increase to daily flights to meet rising demand.
This new route makes Bali the second destination served by Vietnam Airlines in Indonesia, following Jakarta from Hanoi.
The carrier said the launch supports its broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia and respond to growing travel demand between Vietnam and Indonesia.
The new direct route is expected to boost tourism and business ties between the two countries, especially as travel rebounds post-pandemic.
The launch also coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia, underscoring a shared commitment to expanding trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
