Emirates, one of the fastest growing international airlines, continues its expansion in South East Asia with the addition of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to its global network from 4th June 2012.

The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has been one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, with Ho Chi Minh City, home to over seven million people, recognised as its commercial capital.

Emirates will use an Airbus A330-200 in a two class configuration on the route to Ho Chi Minh City, which is set to become the airline’s 124th destination.

From 28th October 2012 this service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER in a two class configuration.

Operating as EK 390 the daily non-stop flight, with 27 Business Class seats and 251 Economy Class seats, will depart Dubai International Airport at 0925hrs arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 1920hrs.

The return flight EK 391 will depart at 2050hrs arriving in Dubai at 0045hrs the following day.

“Following the signing of the Air Services Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates in April 2011, we have been busy planning this route and it comes at a very exciting time for the airline, as our global network continues to expand,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

“Emirates will offer tourists and business travellers, particularly from the Middle East, Africa and Europe, a convenient option to access Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most vibrant places in South East Asia and we are convinced that this will prove to be a highly popular route. We look forward to growing our partnership with Vietnam and would like to thank the Government and Airport Authorities for their support in the planning of our launch,” Mr Clark added.

Ho Chi Minh City offers tourists the ideal gateway to explore the wonders of Vietnam, be it the shopping options in the city, the various UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hoi An, the islands of Halong Bay, the beaches of Nha Trang or the floating markets and restaurants of the Mekong River Delta.

Trade between the UAE and Vietnam exceeded US$24 million in 2010 and Emirates, through its cargo arm SkyCargo, has had an active presence in the market for a number of years. Vietnamese exports – which range the full value chain from high-end tablet PCs, smartphones and printers to garments, sportswear and shoes – have been shipped through other Emirates’ Asian gateways including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on to European, American, Middle Eastern and African markets.

Ho Chi Minh City will be the Emirates’ eighth route launch in 2012, following on from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro on 3rd January; Dublin on 9th January; Lusaka and Harare on 1st February; Dallas on 2nd February and Seattle on 1st March.

Emirates’ Airbus A330-200 offers its customers in both cabins meals prepared by gourmet chefs, award-winning service from the airline’s international cabin crew recruited from over 120 countries, as well as hundreds of channels of entertainment and the facility to send and receive emails and text messages.

With a fleet of 168 aircraft and already the largest A380 operator in the world, with 20 in service, Emirates currently flies to 117 destinations in 69 countries.