Emirates to launch flights to Ho Chi Minh

Emirates is to add Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam to its global network from 4 June 2012.

Vietnam has one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, with Ho Chi Minh, home to over seven million people, recognised as its commercial capital.

Emirates will use an Airbus A330-200 in a two class configuration on the route to Ho Chi Minh City, which is set to become the airline’s 124th destination.

From 28 October 2012 this service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER in a two class configuration.

Operating as EK 390 the daily non-stop flight, with 27 Business Class seats and 251 Economy Class seats, will depart Dubai International Airport at 09:25 arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 19:20.

The return flight EK 391 will depart at 20:50 arriving in Dubai at 00:45 the following day.

 “Following the signing of the Air Services Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates in April 2011, we have been busy planning this route and it comes at a very exciting time for the airline, as our global network continues to expand,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

“Emirates will offer tourists and business travellers, particularly from the Middle East, Africa and Europe, a convenient option to access Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh city is one of the most vibrant places in South East Asia and we are convinced that this will prove to be a highly popular route. We look forward to growing our partnership with Vietnam and would like to thank the Government and Airport Authorities for their support in the planning of our launch.”

Trade between the UAE and Vietnam exceeded US$24 million in 2010 and Emirates, through its cargo arm SkyCargo, has had an active presence in the market for a number of years. Vietnamese exports – which range the full value chain from high-end tablet PCs, smartphones and printers to garments, sportswear and shoes – have been shipped through other Emirates’ Asian gateways including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on to European, American, Middle Eastern and African markets.

Ho Chi Minh will be Emirates’ eighth route launch in 2012, following on from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro on 3 January; Dublin on 9 January; Lusaka and Harare on 1 February; Dallas on 2 February and Seattle on 1 March.