On December 8, 2023, Sichuan Airlines launched its first flight from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, to Vietnam via Noi Bai International Airport.

At 3:30 PM on December 8, 2023, Sichuan Airlines flight 3U3905 from Chengdu, China, landed safely at Noi Bai International Airport, officially marking the launch of a new scheduled international commercial service connecting Chengdu and Hanoi. The event marked a further expansion of the international air route network between Vietnam and China.

Sichuan Airlines operates the Chengdu–Hanoi route with one daily round-trip flight using Airbus A320/A321 aircraft. The flight time from Chengdu to Hanoi is approximately two hours and ten minutes. At the time of the launch, Sichuan Airlines was the only carrier operating this route.

Sichuan Airlines is headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. The airline operates an extensive domestic network across China and international routes connecting destinations in Asia, North America and Oceania.

According to a representative of Sichuan Airlines, Vietnam is considered a promising market. The airline hopes to serve more Chinese tourists visiting Vietnam while also providing convenient travel options for Vietnamese tourists wishing to explore China.

Sichuan Airlines became the third international airline to launch a new scheduled route to Hanoi in 2023, following Starlux Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. This development further highlighted Hanoi's continued appeal as a destination for international airlines. With the launch of the new service, Sichuan Airlines became one of six airlines operating routes connecting Hanoi and China.

Flight 3U3905 from Chengdu was welcomed upon its safe arrival at Noi Bai International Airport with a ceremonial water cannon salute. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Deputy Director of Noi Bai International Airport, together with representatives of relevant authorities and organizations, attended the welcoming ceremony and presented flowers to congratulate the airline on its new service.

Mr. Zhang Chang Heng, Chief Representative of Sichuan Airlines, noted that Hanoi is Vietnam's cultural, economic and political center. With its rich history, the Vietnamese capital is an attractive destination for residents of Chengdu and Sichuan Province who wish to explore its tourist attractions, enjoy local cuisine and experience cultural exchanges with Vietnamese people. The direct connection to Chengdu will also make it easier for Vietnamese tourists to visit renowned Chinese attractions such as Jiuzhaigou, often described as a paradise on earth, and the spectacular landscapes of Zhangjiajie, while discovering Sichuan's famous cuisine. These opportunities were among the reasons Sichuan Airlines chose to launch a direct service between Chengdu and Hanoi.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Deputy Director of Noi Bai International Airport, shared that Vietnam and China have many cultural and social similarities and are important tourism markets for each other. The launch of the new air route will facilitate trade and travel between the two cities and their surrounding regions, thereby contributing to tourism development and economic growth in both localities.

According to airport statistics, Noi Bai International Airport handles an average of approximately 500 aircraft movements and 76,000 passenger movements per day. During the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, these figures are expected to increase to approximately 560 aircraft movements and 98,000 passenger movements daily. The introduction of this new air route is expected to contribute to further growth in international passenger traffic through the airport.

Passengers can book tickets through Sichuan Airlines' official website at https://global.sichuanair.com.