After two hours 20 minutes of flight from Ho Chi Minh City, aircraft VN1160 landed at Dien Bien Airport at 11:55 AM with nearly 100 passengers.

Vietnam Airlines announced that the Ho Chi Minh City - Dien Bien route operates with an A321 aircraft, flying two times per week. This route is also one of the national airline's longest domestic services.

Additionally, passengers from Dien Bien can connect to Ho Chi Minh City via a daily stop in Hanoi. Combining Dien Bien - Hanoi flights with the main Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City route (operating 30 to 32 flights daily) will facilitate travel for passengers from the southern region to Dien Bien and surrounding areas.

Dang Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, stated that the inauguration of the direct Ho Chi Minh City - Dien Bien route marks a step in the airline's strategy to expand its domestic network. The direct service aims to attract domestic and international tourists to a region rich in historical, cultural, and natural value, thereby boosting Dien Bien's tourism and economy.

Vietnam Airlines began operating the Hanoi - Dien Bien route in April 1994. Previously, Dien Bien Airport could only accommodate small aircraft like the ATR72.

Since Dien Bien Airport's upgrade and reopening in December 2023, the national airline has operated nearly 2,700 flights, serving more than 385,000 passengers to this northwestern mountainous province. Vietnam Airlines is currently the only airline with flights to Dien Bien.

Anh Tu