Chongqing - Beginning May 16, West Air, a subsidiary of HNA Aviation, one of China's largest airline groups, will commence direct flights from Chongqing to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital. This new route addresses the absence of direct connectivity between the two cities.

The flights, operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, will run three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 

The Airbus A320 aircraft of West Air. (Photo/West Air)

Flight PN6575 will depart from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 18:55 Beijing time and land at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport at 20:00 local time. The return flight, PN6576, will depart from Hanoi at 21:00 local time and arrive in Chongqing at 00:05 the next day. Each flight leg is approximately two hours long.

The timetable of the flight between Chongqing and Hanoi. (Graphic/Zheng Ran)

Hanoi, renowned for its thousand-year history, distinct culture, and captivating blend of traditional and modern architecture, provides visitors diverse experiences. From savoring authentic beef rice noodles in the morning to discovering the lively Old Quarter and indulging in Hanoi's famous egg coffee, the city is a paradise for cultural enthusiasts.

The connection between Chongqing and Hanoi goes beyond tourism, especially in infrastructure development. 

Nottnam's inaugural urban light rail, the Hanoi Metro Line 2A, notably integrates technology from Chongqing University's Geotechnical Laboratory. This includes pioneering PCC (cast-in-place concrete large-diameter pipe) technology, which has greatly reduced settlement and deformation issues in soft soil conditions during construction.

This rail line, spanning approximately 13 kilometers with 12 stations, significantly reduces local commute times, outpacing traditional road travel by about an hour.

A Vietnamese couple took wedding photos along the Hanoi Metro Line. (Photo/China Railway Sixth Group Vietnam Company)

The collaborative endeavors also encompass international cargo routes, smart port initiatives, and renewable energy ventures, highlighting the extent of cooperation between China and Vietnam. This partnership fosters Vietnam's economic growth and advances bilateral cooperation in maritime and financial domains.

Given Vietnam's pivotal role as an ASEAN member, the introduction of West Air's new air route is anticipated to strengthen ecothe nomic and cultural bonds between China and Vietnam. This enhancement of travel accessibility is poised to facilitate deeper bilateral cooperation.