Efforts to boost Vietnam-Saudi Arabia travel
The agreement provides more convenient travel between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia with shared flight numbers and integrated passenger services.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam Airlines and Saudi Arabia's national airline Saudia on July 2 inked a codeshare agreement to improve flight connectivity between the two countries.
Under the agreement, each airline will place its flight number on the other’s services to make it more convenient for passengers traveling from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to reach Jeddah and Riyadh, two major cities in Saudi Arabia.
Travelers can book and check in once for the entire trip and enjoy service and frequent flyer benefits from both airlines, which are members of the SkyTeam alliance.
Vietnam Airlines’ Lotusmiles members can earn and redeem miles when flying with Saudia or other SkyTeam partners.
Vietnam Airlines - the national flag carrier. Photo courtesy of the airlines
Nguyen Quang Trung, Head of Planning and Development at Vietnam Airlines, said the agreement is part of the carrier’s international expansion, highlighting the strong travel and aviation growth in the Middle East.
Saudia praised its cooperation with Vietnam Airlines, expressing confidence that the partnership will enhance the passenger experience and extend its global reach.
In 2024, over 20,000 passengers traveled between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, marking a 64% increase from the previous year. The introduction of e-visa services for Vietnamese citizens has further facilitated tourism, conference attendance, and family visits.
Vietnam Airlines operates over 100 routes and has one of the most modern fleets in the region. Meanwhile, Saudia flies to more than 100 destinations worldwide and is rapidly expanding its network under the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to promote tourism and international exchange, particularly with dynamic markets such as Vietnam.
