Trade opportunities with Vietnam have been given a welcome boost with Vietnam Airlines beginning non-stop flights between Perth and Ho Chi Minh City.

The round-trip flights, operating three times a week, began on December 7 last year. 

“This new non-stop service with our new airline partner Vietnam Airlines will unlock more opportunities by generating more than 85,000 seats and nearly 6,000 tons of cargo capacity annually,” says Kate Holsgrove, Perth Airport Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer. 

“We’ve worked closely with the State Government to focus on international aviation markets which will benefit the Western Australian tourism industry and the wider economy.” 

Michael Carter, Head of CCIWA’s International Trade and Investment Centre, says the increased flights will be of major benefit to WA exporters.  

“Vietnam Airlines’ new service between Perth and Ho Chi Minh City builds on WA’s strong relationship with Vietnam, our 14th largest trading partner,” he says.  

“In 2022-23, $2.4 billion was traded between WA and Vietnam.  

“Vietnam is a strong emerging market for WA exporters, with its close proximity to our State, growing middle class and increasing digitalisation.” 

In March 2023, the State Government opened an Invest and Trade WA office in Ho Chi Minh City, further extending trade ties with Vietnam.  

Key market for WA agriculture, food and beverage    

The day after Vietnam Airlines’ inaugural Ho Chi Minh City-to-Perth flight, CCIWA held a roundtable with WA agrifood and beverage exporters, representatives from the airline and the state and federal governments to discuss opportunities.  

“WA’s food and beverage industry is a particularly strong market for Vietnam, as demand for premium products such as meat, seafood, dairy, fresh fruit, beverages and packaged food is growing,” Carter says. 

“Key agricultural commodities, including wheat, barley and timber, as well as health and wellness consumer goods are also highly sought after.” 

Agrifood exporters keen on Vietnam 

Some exporters at CCIWA’s roundtable were looking to increase trade to Vietnam, while others were considering entering the market for the first time.  

“We are already in the Vietnam market and entered the market earlier in 2023 when we visited Hanoi, appointed a distributor and met with food service providers,” says Monica Chetty, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Pardoo Wagyu. 

“Our distributor also visited Perth last year through a program by DPIRD [Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development]. 

“Vietnam is an important growth market for us. We currently export to 12 global markets including China, Hong Kong, the UAE, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, Qatar, the USA and are also selling in Australia which represents 12% of our sales.” 

CCIWA’s International Trade and Investment Centre (ITIC) helps businesses reduce the time, cost and risk of going global. Contact the team for a free consultation on (08) 9365 7620 or via [email protected].