Addressing the ceremony, Thailand’s Deputy PrimeMinister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara noted that the airline’s resumption of flights between Bangkok and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Cityis important to the tourism industry and economy of each country.
Last year, Thailand welcomed more than 500,000Vietnamese tourists, while over 200,000 Thais visited Vietnam, he said, notingthat the numbers are expected to double this year.
The Thai Deputy PM described the resumption asa major stride and a symbol of the close ties between Vietnam and Thailand,especially in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership (2013-2023).
Nguyen Trung Khanh, head of the Vietnam NationalAuthority of Tourism, highlighted the bilateral tourism cooperation, sayingVietnam has learned from Thailand’s experience in tourism product developmentand promotion, and support to businesses, especially after the COVID-19pandemic.
In the first 10 months of 2023, Vietnam servedabout 10 million international visitors, of whom 500,000 were Thais, and some900,000 Vietnamese visited Thailand in the period, he said. He expressed the hope that Vietnam’s tourism sector and Thai Airways will coordinate to launch jointtourism products to help lure holidaymakers from third countries.
Korakot Chatasingha, a representativefrom Thai Airways, said with the service called Royal Orchid, Thai Airways willoperate two flights between Bangkok and Hanoi and two others between Bangkok andHCM City each day./.