BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI Tourism said it is looking to exploit the Vietnamese travel market after Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) announced the resumption of flights to Ho Chi Minh City.

Brunei Tourism Director Mariani Hj Sabtu said Vietnam’s rapid economic growth has expanded the market for outbound tourism.

“Last year the market grew by 8 to 12 per cent — that’s a lot,” she told The Brunei Times in a recent interview.

“As the economy grows the number of people with disposable income to go for travels is also growing.”

Route studies conducted by Royal Brunei showed that Ho Chi Minh City emerged as frontrunner in providing connections for key markets from Melbourne, Dubai and London and also for regional destinations like Kota Kinabalu.

RB said the new destination offers “fantastic value” for long-haul customers from Melbourne, Dubai and London, who can combine their travel to Vietnam with a visit to Brunei.

It will also create more holiday options for Bruneians, the airline added.

RB suspended flights to Ho Chi Minh City in 2011 amid restructuring of its route network.

The national carrier will fly to Ho Chi Minh City four times a week, beginning on October 17.

The Brunei Times