As part of the MOC, both parties will launch joint marketing campaigns to promote Singapore’s new and refreshed offerings, and VNA as a top-of-mind choice for Vietnamese travellers.
Vietnam is currently among Singapore’s top 10 markets for tourism, with more than 280,000 visitors in the first seven months of 2023. This is a 123% increase compared to the same period last year. Prior to the pandemic, visitor arrivals from Vietnam to Singapore enjoyed steady growth of up to 13% year on year, demonstrating the growth potential of the market.
Singapore is also a strategic market for VNA in Southeast Asia. More than 7 million passengers have flown between the two countries on VNA since the airline opened its inaugural Vietnam-Singapore route more than 30 years ago. VNA is currently operating 35 flights per week between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.
In 2022, the total number of passengers transported by VNA on routes to Singapore reached more than 290,000 passengers. In the first seven months of 2023, VNA transported 266,000 passengers, an increase of 2.4 times over the same period last year.
The MOC is VNA’s first with a national tourism organisation. It also coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Vietnam in 2023, as well the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vietnam Airlines, stated: “As a national carrier and representative of Vietnamese culture in the sky, Vietnam Airlines plays a distinct role in the socio-economic development, especially tourism. We believe that this cooperation with the Singapore Tourism Board will lay a strong foundation for broader and deeper partnerships in the future, vigorously advancing the goals of evolving the tourism industry in both countries, as well as fostering the amicable relationship between Vietnam and Singapore. With an extensive flight network, Vietnam Airlines can support enhancing connectivity between the ASEAN region and key markets worldwide, offering passengers more diverse choices.”
Ms. Melissa Ow, Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board, shared: “We are delighted to be the first National Tourism Organisation to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with Vietnam Airlines, a valued partner in Southeast Asia. Vietnam is an important tourism source market for Singapore and has strong growth potential for the future. Through this partnership, we hope to grow Singapore’s appeal as a top destination for Vietnamese travellers and enable them to discover the diversity of world-class experiences and events in Singapore.”
