Jetstar returns to Vietnam with direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City

The budget airline has finally restarted direct flights to one of our favourite destinations in Asia – and is launching a massive sale to celebrate its return.

Jetstar has today restarted direct flights to Vietnam, more than two years after border closures stopped Aussies travelling to one of their favourite spots in Asia.

Vietnam is one of the most popular international holiday destinations for Australians, second really only to Bali.

Jetstar restarted direct flights between Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh City today, with three Boeing-B787-8 services operating a week.

An additional two weekly services from Sydney will start this Saturday, on April 9.

Visitors to Vietnam must return a negative Covid PCR test prior to their arrival and must monitor for symptoms while they travel the country.

Vietnam is an Aussie favourite. Picture: iStock

To celebrate the return of the direct flights, Jetstar is launching a 12-hour rapid sale from 12pm today.

Fares between Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne start from $169 one way.

Jetstar CEO Gareth Evans said today’s flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the first in more than two years, was almost fully booked.

“Our services to Ho Chi Minh City are once again proving to be popular in both directions,” Mr Evans said.

“Vietnam was one of the fastest growing holiday destinations in South-East Asia pre-pandemic, and we have seen strong bookings since Vietnam reopened its border.

“Thanks to the support of the Victorian Government and Melbourne Airport, the additional flights will see more students travelling from Vietnam to complete their qualifications in Melbourne, as well as people travelling to the state to visit loved ones, with Melbourne being home to a large Vietnamese Australian population.”

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Picture: iStock

The return of flights to Ho Chi Minh City is Jetstar’s sixth international destination it has restarted this year.

The airline restarted its hugely popular flights to Denpasar International Airport in Bali last month, with thousands of Aussies already flocking back to the Indonesian island.

Jetstar also launched a sale to celebrate the return of Bali, offering passengers one-way fares for $99.

It was one of the airline’s most popular sales ever, with Jetstar selling more than 40,000 fares in one day – the highest number of seats sold to Bali in a single day in more than five years.