Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (third from right) attends Vietjet's new route launching ceremony on Saturday. — Photo courtesy of Vietjet

Budget carrier Vietjet has announced the launch of two new direct services connecting Bangkok and Chiang Rai with Udon Thani province in northeast Thailand.

The ceremony held in Bangkok on Saturday included the presence of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul and senior delegates from the two countries.

In his speech at the event, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the new routes would contribute to the growth of transportation and co-operation between the two countries.

Addressing the event, Viet Nam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said he was impressed at Vietjet’s efforts of expansion not only in Viet Nam but also in the region, including the establishment of Thai Vietjet – a joint venture between the airline and Thai airline Kan Air.

"Those activities really contribute positively to the economic, trade, cultural and tourism exchanges between Viet Nam and Thailand," he said.

With a modern fleet of over 80 Airbus aircraft, Vietjet is operating 150 routes covering destinations across Viet Nam and the region with around 400 flights daily.

To date, the airline has carried nearly 100 million passengers, whilst the number of passengers transported by Vietjet between Thailand and Viet Nam and within Thailand has reached nine million. — VNS