Malindo Air's KL-Ho Chi Minh Connectivity Enhances Malaysia-Vietnam Ties

From Harizah Hanim Mohamed HO CHI MINH CITY, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Frequent flight connectivity between Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is expected to strengthen the relationship between the two ASEAN countries. Consulate General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City, Sofian Akmal Abd Karim said the flight frequencies would result in higher tourists volume between Malaysia and Vietnam. "In 2015, a total of 265,000 Vietnamese travelled to Malaysia," he told reporters after welcoming Malindo Air's inaugural flight from KL to Ho Chi Minh City Friday. According to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Malaysian tourist arrivals to Vietnam were over 329,000 people in 2013, increasing to more than 339,000 in 2014 and totalled 300,000 in the first 11 months of 2015. Malaysian hybrid airline, Malindo Air Friday launched its first flight to Ho Chi Minh City, flying with Boeing 737-800 aircraft and offers seven times weekly flights for the service. This is a part of the airline's international network expansion, bringing its current route network to 33 destinations in 10 countries. Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Malindo Air Chief Executive Officer Chandran Rama Muthy said the airline's new flight service offered passengers competitive low fares between KL and Ho Chi Minh City. "Our direct daily service to Ho Chi Minh City is likely to open it up as more of a relaxation destination, meeting the increasing travel demand and economic exchange between Malaysia and Vietnam," he added. Promotional fares for KL-Ho Chi Minh City starts from US$31 (RM129) for Economy Class and US$96 (RM399) for Business Class one-way, all inclusive. -- BERNAMA