Cathay Pacific celebrates 75 years since its first flight to Vietnam

Spreading its wings since its first flight from Hong Kong (China) to Ho Chi Minh City (then known as Saigon) in 1949, Cathay Pacific’s presence in Vietnam has grown from strength to strength, with the airline now operating 24 return passenger flights a week between Hong Kong (China) and two major cities in Vietnam—Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Cathay Regional General Manager, South East Asia Dominic Perret said: "Since our first flight to Ho Chi Minh City in 1949, we have witnessed Vietnam’s remarkable growth, and we are honoured to be part of this journey. Our increased flight frequencies from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi today reflect our commitment to serving the evolving needs of our valued customers in Vietnam. We look forward to continuing this journey of supporting both passenger and cargo connectivity to and from this dynamic market."

Cathay Pacific’s journey in Vietnam began with its inaugural flight to Ho Chi Minh City on 2 November 1949, carrying just 23 passengers. 

Today, Cathay Pacific customers can enjoy seamless access to the Cathay Group’s extensive network through its home hub in Hong Kong (China), connecting to over 80 passenger destinations worldwide, including in the Chinese Mainland, North East Asia, Europe and North America. Cathay Pacific recently announced that 2025 will see the addition of Dallas to its North American network—a popular destination among Vietnamese travellers.

Cathay Pacific continues to strengthen its presence in the Vietnam market as it promotes opportunities for business, trade and tourism along the Belt and Road. In addition to its 14 weekly flights from Ho Chi Minh City, the airline has increased its flight frequencies between Hanoi and Hong Kong (China) from nine to 10 flights weekly since 28 October 2024.