Direct flights to link Da Nang to Japan

      A direct flight from the central city of Da Nang to Japan will begin operating soon following detailed discussions between Vietnam Airlines, Japanese air carriers, and the two countries' travel agencies.
The central city's People Committee and Vietnam Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding to deploy a flight route connecting Japan's Osaka, Viet Nam's Da Nang and Cambodia's Siem Riep.
Alternatives routes, connecting Da Nang with Tokyo, Fukuoka or Nagoia, were considered but they are less profitable.
Since the coastal provinces of Viet Nam have always been the most popular choice among the Japanese, a direct flight route connecting Da Nang with Japan will increase both foreign investment and tourism.
Japan has rolled out a tourism campaign titled Visit the World Campaign, which places Viet Nam as one of its top priorities.
According to Fuji Hideo, the Japan Association of Travel Agents' vice chairman, about 16-17 million Japanese travel every year and the number is predicted to climb to 20 million in 2010.
A committee has been set up to promote the tourism industry in the Mekong Delta, including Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Vietnam Airlines said an increasing number of Japanese tourists were finding Viet Nam an interesting destination.
"Japan now has the largest tourism market in Viet Nam, which is growing very fast. There were only 113,514 Japanese tourists in 1999, and this number was 411,000 in 2007," said Pham Ngoc Minh, Vietnam Airlines' general director.
"We will quote the same prices for flights departing for Da Nang and those for Ha Noi and HCM City. Furthermore, Vietnam Airlines will actively launch campaigns to prepare the market for this new route," he added.