Vietnam Airlines recently launched a twice weekly Ho Chi Minh City-San Francisco service on November 29 becoming the first carrier in the manufacturing hub to do regular, direct flight service to the US.

In a statement, Vietnam's flag carrier said the new service will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. It will also be operated with A350 aircraft, with frequency to increase to daily once the pandemic is under control.

"This historic flight signifies an important development of Vietnam’s aviation and Vietnam Airlines  as the country’s first airline to conduct regular commercial direct flights to the US," it said.

Vietnam Airlines noted that it took 20 years for the service to be launched since the establishment of its representative office in San Francisco to lay the foundation for the direct route between the two countries.

"Vietnam Airlines was so proud of being the country’s first airline to conduct the charter flight to the US more than a year ago to welcome compatriots back to the homeland. Today, we are very pleased to announce the success of the inaugural commercial direct flight to the US, marking a new milestone for Vietnam Airlines in particular and Vietnam’s aviation in general," said President & CEO of Vietnam Airlines Le Hong Ha.

Initially, Vietnam Airlines said it will conduct 2 flights per week from its capital, Ho Chi Minh City, to San Francisco by Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, the two most modern wide-body aircrafts in Vietnam Airlines fleet.

HCMC-Los Angeles service

The airline aims to increase to 7 flights per week after the Covid-19 pandemic is under control and plans to open a new route to connect Los Angeles to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

It said this route will meet the huge demand of people, promote economic, cultural exchanges, and strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the US increased about 200 folds, from US$451 million in 1995 to US$90.8 billion in 2020.