The arrival is greeted with a ceremonial water salute, a traditional aviation gesture reserved for significant occasions.
The special passenger, Nguyen Van Tuan, was travelling on flight VN1541 from Hanoi to Hue, which landed at 9 am. The arrival was greeted with a ceremonial water salute, a traditional aviation gesture reserved for significant occasions.
Vietnam Airlines welcomes its 350 millionth passenger during a ceremony at Phu Bai International Airport in Hue on July 9.
To mark the milestone, Vietnam Airlines awarded Tuan with a Platinum-tier Lotusmiles membership, two round-trip domestic Business Class tickets, and commemorative gifts. Ten adjacent passengers also received Economy Class round-trip tickets. In contrast, all passengers on the flight were presented with souvenirs featuring the Vietnam Airlines brand and cultural elements of Hue, the ancient capital.
Le Hai Binh, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, remarked at the event, "Today we witness meaningful milestones: 65 years of Vietnam's tourism industry, 30 years of Vietnam Airlines' journey, and the welcoming of the 350 millionth passenger. These are achievements to be proud of, and they serve as motivation for Vietnam Airlines to continue innovating and pushing its limits."
Emphasising the significance of the milestone, Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha described the figure as "350 million journeys of trust and connection, made possible by safe and convenient flights."
During the ceremony, Vietnam Airlines, in collaboration with the Hue People's Committee, the National Tourism Administration, and the city's Department of Tourism, officially launched a special night flight promotional campaign to Hue. Passengers on night flights to Hue, whether domestic or international, will be eligible for incentives such as up to 80 per cent discounts on accommodation or complimentary first-night stays at select partner hotels.
After 30 years of operation, Vietnam Airlines has completed 1.2 million round-trip flights covering a total distance of 3.04 billion kilometres. It has transported 350 million passengers, with an average annual growth rate of 19 per cent, and 4.7 million tonnes of cargo, experiencing an average annual growth of 8 per cent. The airline has generated VND 1.29 quadrillion (approximately USD 50.6 billion) in revenue and contributed VND 67,955 billion (approximately USD 2.7 billion) to the state budget.
From its beginnings as a domestic carrier, Vietnam Airlines has expanded its fleet fourfold and now connects to over 1,000 destinations through the SkyTeam alliance, linking Vietnam with Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America.
Following a period of severe disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam Airlines has rapidly recovered, launching new international routes to Melbourne and Perth (Australia), Munich (Germany), and Milan (Italy). The airline is set to open a new route to Copenhagen (Denmark) this December.
