Vietnam Airlines officially inaugurated its new direct route between Nha Trang and Busan on June 1, marking a strategic move to enhance connectivity between Vietnam and South Korea. The inaugural flight, VN435 from Busan, was welcomed at Cam Ranh International Airport with a water cannon salute, traditional folk performances, and special gifts for the arriving passengers and crew.
The launch ceremony, jointly organized by Vietnam Airlines and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Khanh Hoa Province, brought together representatives from government authorities, aviation partners, and media outlets.
The Nha Trang – Busan route will be operated daily using Airbus A321 aircraft. This marks the second international route connecting South Korea to Khanh Hoa province by Vietnam Airlines, following the Nha Trang – Seoul service. Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, is a growing tourism and business hub, and this new route is expected to boost inbound travel to Vietnam while enhancing the competitiveness of the local aviation and tourism industries.
According to Vietnam Airlines, the launch is part of its broader strategy to restore and expand 15 international routes in 2025. It also reflects the carrier’s ongoing collaboration with the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee under the province’s 2021–2025 development plan.
Currently, Vietnam Airlines operates an average of 16 daily flights between Vietnam and South Korea, connecting major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang with Seoul and Busan.
In the first four months of 2025, the airline transported approximately 479,500 passengers on Vietnam–Korea routes, highlighting the growing demand for travel and tourism between the two nations.
South Korea remains Vietnam’s largest international source market. In 2024 alone, Vietnam welcomed about 4.5 million South Korean visitors—accounting for 26% of the country’s total international arrivals.
In Khanh Hoa province, South Korean tourists make up nearly half of all international arrivals. From January to April 2025, the province recorded over 812,800 South Korean visitors, a 6.5% increase year-on-year.
A Vietnam Airlines representative emphasized that expanding connectivity to major Korean cities is a key part of the airline’s strategy to strengthen its international network in South-Central Vietnam, tapping into rising tourist demand and enhancing regional competitiveness.
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Source: Vietnam Insider