Quick Answer: Vietnam Airlines has celebrated 35 years of air and tourism connectivity with Australia, having operated 35,000 flights and carried 7.5 million passengers between the two countries. Australian tourist arrivals to Vietnam surged 25.8% in the first seven months of 2026, making Australia one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism markets.
What Happened
On August 10, 2026, General Secretary and President To Lam attended a ceremony in Sydney marking 35 years of air and tourism connectivity between Vietnam and Australia, organized by Vietnam Airlines.
Key milestones over 35 years:
- 35,000 flights operated between Vietnam and Australia
- 7.5 million passengers carried on the route
- 25 weekly round-trip flights connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth
- Fleet: Wide-body Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft
Recent growth (first half of 2026):
- 809,000+ passengers traveled between the two countries
- 11% year-on-year growth in passenger numbers
- 83%+ seat occupancy rate, indicating strong demand
Why This Matters for Travelers
- Growing Australian arrivals: Vietnam welcomed 396,648 Australian tourists in the first seven months of 2026, up 25.8% year-on-year. This is already over 80% of the total Australian arrivals for all of 2024.
- More flight options: With 25 weekly flights and a fleet of modern wide-body aircraft, travelers have flexible scheduling and comfortable journeys.
- Strong demand: The high seat occupancy rate of 83%+ indicates that routes are well-used and likely to be maintained and expanded in the future.
What You Should Do
- Plan ahead for peak seasons — with demand growing and flights well-occupied, book early to secure seats.
- Watch for new tour packages — the partnership between Ho Chi Minh City and Australian travel platforms may yield new deals.
- Consider Vietnam as an Australian tourist — with a 25.8% growth rate, Vietnam is clearly becoming more popular among Australian travelers, offering diverse experiences from beach resorts to cultural heritage.
Key Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Anniversary | 35 years of Vietnam-Australia air connectivity |
| Total flights | 35,000 flights |
| Total passengers | 7.5 million |
| Current weekly flights | 25 round-trip flights |
| Destinations in Australia | Sydney, Melbourne, Perth |
| Passengers (H1 2026) | 809,000+ (up 11%) |
| Australian tourist arrivals (7 months) | 396,648 (up 25.8%) |
| Seat occupancy | 83%+ average |
Related Vietnam With Me Guides
- Vietnam Domestic Flights Guide
- Vietnam Transport Guide
- Best Time to Visit Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City for First-Timers