This is the first direct air route between Vietnam and Indonesia and the second new international route Vietnam Airlines has introduced this year.

Airbus A31 planes will service the route on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Flights depart from HCM City at 10am, arriving in Jakarta at 13pm, and leave Jakarta for HCM City at 13:45pm.

A ceremony welcoming the airline's first flight to Jakarta was held at the Soekarno-Hatta airport. Its attendees included Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Nguyen Xuan Thuy, representatives from Indonesia's Aviation and Customs Departments, the State Company Pusa Angkara, and other partners of the airline.

Ambassador Thuy stressed the significance of opening the direct air route between HCM City and Jakarta in particular and between Vietnam and Indonesia in general. The route not only meets passengers’ increasing demands for travel between the two attractive tourism destinations, but also contributes to strengthening bilateral relations, promoting the ASEAN integration process, and working towards an ASEAN Community by 2015.

Vietnam Airlines Chief Indonesian Representative Nghiem Van Khanh said the new HCM City - Jakarta route means Vietnam's international air network now includes 28 destinations. The national flag carrier acknowledged the occasion with a promotion offering return tickets for VND2.905.000, a 22 percent saving compared to standard prices on the HCM City - Jakarta route. Vietnam Airlines is also selling tickets on the HCM City - Jakarta - Bali route for VND7.085.000. The specials exclude taxation and other fees and apply to passengers who purchase tickets from October 22 to December 31 for departures between December 2 2012 and March 30 2013.