As many as 281 passengers from Minsk aboard BRU 8197 operated by Belavia of Belarusian Airlines arrive in Phu Quoc, marking the start of the direct air route between Minsk and Phu Quoc.
The flight, BRU 8197 operated by Belavia of Belarusian Airlines carrying more than 280 passengers, landed at Phu Quoc International Airport at 10.40 am, receiving a warm welcome from local leaders with flowers and souvenirs.
The new route, operated every 10 days using a modern A330-200 aircraft with a capacity of up to 300 passengers, marks a major milestone in tourism and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee, emphasised that the Minsk-Phu Quoc flight shortens the distance between Southeast Asia and Central-Eastern Europe, facilitates business, investment, and tourism exchanges, and promotes the export of Vietnamese goods, including agricultural and industrial products, to Belarus and Europe.
International air routes like Minsk-Phu Quoc not only strengthen trade connections but also enhance Phu Quoc and An Giang’s reputation as safe, friendly, and sustainable destinations, he said.
The official called on local authorities, airport staff, customs, and tourism operators in both countries to support airlines and travelers, enhance promotion, and foster cultural, tourism, and trade exchanges.
In the first nine months of 2025, Phu Quoc welcomed 6.5 million visitors, including 1.2 million international tourists, generating approximately VND 31,000 billion in revenue. Belarusian tourists to An Giang, mainly Phu Quoc, numbered 1,900, and this figure is expected to rise with the new direct flight.
The launch of Minsk-Phu Quoc flights also supports Vietnam’s broader international engagement, particularly as Phu Quoc prepares to host the APEC 2027 Leaders’ Week, a key regional diplomatic event. This direct air link is anticipated to boost tourism, investment, and trade, reinforcing Phu Quoc’s role as an international hub for sustainable development and cooperation.
