Cheng Shao Hong, general manager of China Southern Airlines in Hanoi, announces the new direct air route between Hanoi-Hunan
The announcement was made during a cultural exchange programme held in Hanoi on April 23 to promote tourism in China’s Hunan province.
According to Cheng Shao Hong, general manager of China Southern Airlines in Hanoi, the route will operate three flights per week, offering passengers greater convenience and encouraging two-way tourism exchanges. The airline hopes the route will create fresh opportunities for travel companies and tour operators to collaborate in developing affordable, diverse tourism packages catering to a broad range of travellers.
In addition to the new Hanoi - Hunan service, China Southern Airlines also revealed plans to increase the frequency of its Shenzhen–Hanoi route.
The airline currently operates multiple routes connecting Vietnam and China, including from Guangzhou to Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Hanoi; from Shenzhen to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; from Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City; and from Wuhan to Ho Chi Minh City.
This summer, China Southern Airlines plans to operate 97 weekly flights between the two countries, marking a 15% increase from the same period last year.
Beyond expanding its flight network, the airline is actively investing in tourism promotion to attract more Chinese travellers to Vietnam.
“We are working with major travel companies in China to organise surveys and develop customised travel products for Vietnam and Southeast Asia,” Cheng said.
She also highlighted the growing interest among southern Chinese travelers in visiting iconic Vietnamese destinations such as Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Ninh Binh.
Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh addresses the event
From the Vietnamese side, Nguyen Trung Khanh, director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, acknowledged the importance of Chinese tourists to the country’s tourism sector. He noted that Vietnam ranks as the fourth largest international source market for Hunan province, with more than 159,000 Vietnamese arrivals recorded in 2024.
Meanwhile, Vietnam welcomed nearly 1.2 million Chinese tourists in the first quarter of 2025 alone, a 78.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Last year, Vietnam received over 3.7 million Chinese visitors, reflecting a strong recovery and underscoring China’s potential as a key tourism market.
