For the first time, a Vietnamese airline is now flying to Adelaide as a regular destination – providing greater access to the state’s key tourism and trade markets in Asia.
The first Vietjet flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Adelaide landed at Adelaide Airport last night, signalling the start of five weekly return flights between the two cities.
The Vietjet network offers connection options to 125 domestic and international destinations, allowing increased accessibility into valuable tourism markets.
Latest data shows total visitor expenditure from the Asian region in South Australia is $602 million.
Vietnam is South Australia’s 12th largest export destination, with exports to Vietnam having increased by over 32 per cent in the year to September 2023, growing to almost half a billion dollars a year.
Services from the new carrier mean there are now nine international airlines currently operating 44 flights into Adelaide each week.
The Vietjet flights now operating are:
Sunday – Thursday
VJ89 depart Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) 0635 – arrive Perth (PER) 1420
VJ89 depart Perth 1520 – arrive Adelaide (ADL) 2110
Monday – Friday
VJ80 depart Adelaide 0725 – arrive Perth 0855
VJ80 depart Perth 0955 – arrive Ho Chi Minh City 1540
Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have already increased capacity into Adelaide, boosting their services from last month, and Singapore Airlines has also added an extra four flights per week for the summer months. Batik Air Indonesia commenced services to Indonesia on 8 November (adding to their existing Malaysian operations). The airline announced four new weekly services from Denpasar to Adelaide from November. Batik Air will be SA’s first international carrier serving multiple direct destinations.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said the state is focused on growing tourism and making sure South Australia is front and centre.
“More capacity will assist our strong tourism sector and help capitalise on the significant amount of South Australian events ahead,” Minister Bettison said.
“It is terrific to have Vietjet now flying into Adelaide, the first Vietnamese airline to include our city as a regular destination – opening up significant opportunities for South Australia.
“Vietnam is South Australia’s fourth largest market of international students, and these flights will only further create opportunities to grow that market.
“Greater access to key tourism and trade markets in Asia is hugely valuable, with tourism in the Asian region currently worth $602 million to our state and exports to Vietnam now worth almost half a billion dollars a year.
“Tourism has never been stronger, with our visitor economy now worth a record high $9.9 billion – an increase of $3.8 billion in just 12 months.
“The South Australian Tourism Commission and Adelaide Airport have been working hard behind the scenes to secure more airlines and recover international aviation, and I am incredibly pleased that today’s milestone means more flights and more opportunities for our state.”
Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox said eager travellers have already embraced the new service since it was first announced in early October, with solid ticket sales fuelled by South Australians wanting to explore the wonderful sights of Vietnam, and a reconnection of family and friends through the state’s vibrant Vietnamese community bringing visitors to South Australia.
“Vietnam has been a focus of ours for some time and we’re delighted that Vietjet has recognised the opportunity to add Adelaide to its network. We are confident the strong economic and tourism links between Vietnam and South Australia will translate into significant interest in these flights,” Mr Cox said.
