Hanoi-based LCC VietJet will open service to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, from Ho Chi Minh City next year.

Flights between Ho Chi Minh City’s Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN) and Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport (VTE) will launch in February 2024. The service will be operated 4X-weekly. The route, with an expected flight time of around 1 hr. 45 min., is exclusive to VietJet.

In conjunction with the SGN-VTE route announcement, Vietjet and Lao Airlines signed a “comprehensive partnership agreement,” which the Vietnamese carrier says marks “a significant milestone not only for the two airline companies, but also for Vietnam and Laos.”

The airline adds in a statement: “Under the agreement, Vietjet and Lao Airlines, the national airline of Laos, have become comprehensive partners in passenger and cargo transportation. Both airlines will also expand cooperation in technical fields, aircraft maintenance and repair, aviation workforce training and more.”

VietJet says the SNG-VTE route is being launched amid “rising travel demands” in southeast Asia.

“Vientiane is the capital and largest city, as well as the political and economic center, of Laos,” VietJet says. “It is located on the banks of the Mekong River, [and] the capital of Laos attracts tourists with renowned architectural landmarks, temples, pagodas, local festivals and unique cuisine.”

VietJet operates 94 Airbus A320-family aircraft, a mix of A320 and A321ceos and A321neos, plus seven A330s.