Turkmenistan Airlines’ Flight T5-655, originating from Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, successfully touched down at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City at 1:30 a.m. on March 6, concluding its inaugural regular direct flight between Vietnam and Turkmenistan.
This historic journey, spanning over 5,000 kilometers and lasting nearly 10 hours, marked the commencement of Turkmenistan National Airlines’ operations on this route, utilizing a Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft.
Departing Ashgabat Airport at 3:30 p.m. on March 5, the flight arrived at its destination punctually, inaugurating a biweekly service scheduled for Wednesdays and Thursdays from March 5 to October 27. Economy class round-trip tickets are priced at approximately $500 USD (12 million VND).
Before launching commercial passenger services, Turkmenistan Airlines ventured into cargo operations in 2022, initially utilizing Airbus A330-200P2F aircraft to Vietnam. By 2023, the airline expanded its cargo services to include an additional weekly flight to Hanoi.
Since 2014, Mr. Toyli Sakhadov, a senior figure at Turkmenistan Airlines, has recognized Vietnam as a promising market. In preparation for direct flights to Southeast Asia, the airline secured a contract for two new Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft with a seating capacity of 368.
Mr. Serdar Nazarov, one of the inaugural passengers, lauded the direct flight for significantly reducing travel time, cutting it nearly in half compared to connecting flights, now taking approximately 9 hours. He praised the comfort and spaciousness of the Boeing 777 cabin and commended the professionalism of the flight attendants, enhancing his confidence during his fourth business trip to Vietnam.
Diplomatic ties between Turkmenistan and Vietnam were established in 1992, with ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiev’s visit to Vietnam during the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations included participation in the Vietnam-Turkmenistan Business Forum and engagements with various ministries and sectors.
Trade between the two nations saw a notable exchange in 2021, totaling $0.56 million USD, with Vietnamese exports to Turkmenistan increasing by 40.6% compared to the previous year, according to Vietnam Customs data.
Turkmenistan, with its vast territory of 491,210 km2 and a population of 6.4 million, ranks among the world’s top producers of cotton. The country boasts significant natural resources, although much of its landscape is dominated by the Karakum Desert, renowned for its UNESCO-listed world heritage sites, including the Merv Citadel, Kunya-Urgench, and Parthian Nisa fortress.
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Airlines serves as the national carrier, connecting the country with destinations worldwide.
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Source: Vietnam Insider