A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed and exchanged by both sides at a ceremony held in Chongqing, China, on November 8. 

The event took place within the framework of the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Promotion Programme in China, and as witnessed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh who was in Chongqing for a working trip.

Under the MoU, 

the two sides will closely cooperate in various fields, such as aviation services, marketing, exchanges of experiences regarding tourism development, and new tourist destination trends.

They will also organise a number of events in Chongqing to promote Vietnam as an attractive tourist destination in the region.

Over the years, China has been one of the leadingVietnamese tourist markets. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), the first nine months of this year saw 2.7 million Chinese visitors arrive in Vietnam, a surge of about 141.4% year onyear.

Approximately 483,000 passengers chose Vietnam Airlines to fly to China during the period, a rise of 2.4 times compared the figure recorded in 2023.

Currently, the national flag carrier is operating five routes between both sides, including routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to major Chinese cities such as Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai.

Vietnam Airlines plans to continue to increase the frequency of regular flights and make use of wide-body aircraft, as well as opening new routes amid a rise in market demand. 

It will coordinate with agencies and partners of the two countries to hold programmes specifically aimed atintroducing new Vietnamese destinations to Chinese tourists, as well as potential destinations in China to Vietnamese people.