Ho Chi Minh City eyes direct flights to Yokohama

Ho Chi Minh City and Japan’s Yokohama are working to establish a direct air link that serves the increase number of business travellers.

The expected flights will add to already operating Vietnam Airlines direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.

“At Tan Son Nhat Airport, the busiest international routes are flights to Japanese cities. The Ho Chi Minh City/Yokohama route would make it easier for more Japanese investors to come to Vietnam,” said Ho Chi Minh City chairman Le Hoang Quan at Japanese Investors Day in the southern hub on February 14.

He explained that the city attached great importance to Japanese investors in its efforts to attract foreign direct investment, and that is why he joined the event – to listen to Japanese investors.

Quan added that 25 Japanese companies already registered as tenants in the Vie-Pan Techno Park in Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park in Nha Be district. Work started on February 17 on the $31 million project, designed for Japanese support industry firms and the first of its kind in the city. The project is a prime example of Ho Chi Minh City’s efforts to create a dedicated zone for Japanese hi-tech small and medium-sized enterprises.

Ho Chi Minh City is making efforts to develop support industries as recommended by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).

Yasuzumi Hirotaka, head of JETRO in the south, said his office was working closely with partners towards that end. He stressed that Vietnam needs to accelerate support industry development as the pace is still slow.