Four Vietnamese carriers win top regional honors at World Travel Awards

Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Vietravel Airlines and Hai Au Aviation have been honored in different categories at this year’s World Travel Awards for the Asia and Oceania regions.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines surpassed 12 rivals to be named winner of “Asia’s Leading Airline-Economy Class” category.

It beat Air China, Air India, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines and Thai Airways to claim the title.

In addition, Vietnam Airlines was also the winner in the "Asia’s Leading Cabin Crew" category.

The carrier leads the Vietnamese aviation market, one of the fastest growing in the world, in terms of passengers with 18 million in 2022.

Budget airline VietJet Air, owned by Vietnam’s first female billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, was named "Asia's Leading Airline for Customer Experience 2023" at the annual awards.

Graham Cooke, founder of the World Travel Awards, said: "As a rapidly growing airline, Vietjet has carved out a distinct position for itself in a competitive aviation market."

"With its focus on convenience, attractive marketing campaigns to benefit its customers, powered by innovation and creativity, Vietjet has gained reputation for enhancing the overall passenger travel experience. Having flown on many Vietjet flights, I can personally attest to the excellent service and delicious in-flight catering – a well-deserved win," said Cooke.

VietJet, also known as the "bikini airline", launched 11 international routes in the second quarter of this year to Australia, Indonesia and India, raising its air links to 120, including 75 overseas destinations.

Vietnam's newest carrier, Vietravel Airlines, was voted "Asia’s Leading Leisure Carrier" at this year’s awards.

Vietravel was launched in December 2020 and is one of the newest airlines to enter the Vietnamese aviation market, which has seen fierce competition in recent years.

Hai Au Aviation, the only airline offering direct flights from Hanoi to Ha Long and seaplane tours over Ha Long Bay, was named "Asia’s Leading Seaplane Operator".

Established in 2011, Hai Au Aviation is a member of the Thien Minh Group, a leading travel and hospitality group in Southeast Asia.

Its seaplane tour takes tourists across attractions in UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay such as Tuan Chau Island, Reu Island, Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, Dinh Huong Islet, and Thien Cung Cave.

Each tour lasts 25 minutes and costs VND1.6 million ($68) for Vietnamese and VND2 million ($85) for foreigners.

The World Travel Awards, launched in 1993, acknowledge excellence in the travel and tourism industry, and have been described as the "travel industry's equivalent of the Oscars".

The awards are based on votes cast by travel industry professionals and the public.