Vietjet on Tuesday jubilantly welcomed the first non-stop flight connecting Vietnam's ancient capital of Hue with the South Korean capital of Seoul, marking the first flight transporting Korean tourists to the new terminal at Phu Bai airport.
The first connection between Hue and Seoul was a charter flight operated by the Vietnamese budget carrier, bringing international tourists to the ancient and poetic town of Hue.
Hue-Seoul is the second international route operated by Vietjet from the new terminal at Phu Bai airport in central Vietnam. Previously, Vietjet was the first airline to launch international flights from Phu Bai to Kunming city, China.
Hue, capital of Thua-Thien Hue province in central Vietnam, is home to the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO heritage site, and close to the tourism city of Danang and the ancient town of Hoi An, another UNESCO heritage site in Quang Nam province.
With its international routes, Vietjet has been working with localities and tourism businesses to develop more attractive products.
Vietnam welcomed 6.6 million international arrivals in the first seven months of the year, up 5.9 times year-on-year and equal to 83% of the country's year target. South Korea was the largest source with nearly 1.9 million arrivals, accounting for one third of the total, followed by China with 738,000 and the U.S. with 445,000.
On June 24, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved a government proposal to extend the validity of tourist e-visas to 90 days with multiple entry, starting August 15. Since the country reopened to tourism after a prolonged hiatus courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has only been granting 30-day, single entry visas.
Under the new policy, foreigners with valid visas will be able to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times without having to apply for new visas each time. The National Assembly also agreed to extend the stay of visitors from countries that are unilaterally exempt from visas from 15 to 45 days. This adjustment will also take effect on August 15.
Travel firms said they're organizing longer tours to take advantage of opportunities that the new 90-day visa policy may bring when it takes effect.