Indonesia encourages more direct flights to Vietnam
Indonesia encourages more direct flights to Vietnam to boost tourism ties
The Indonesian Government is encouraging the opening of direct air routes from Jakarta to Hanoi, as well as the operation of charter flights from the capital city and Surabaya, the second largest city of the country, to Da Nang, aiming to promote tourism between the two countries, according to Indonesia’s news agency Antara.
Jakarta airport of Indonesia (Photo: airlineratings)
Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian Government isencouraging the opening of direct air routes from Jakartato Hanoi, as well as the operation of charter flights from the capital city andSurabaya, the second largest city of the country, to Da Nang, aiming to promotetourism between the two countries, according to Indonesia’s news agency Antara.
Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi reportedly saidstrengthening connectivity is an important factor in increasing the number oftourists from Vietnam to Indonesia, and the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi willcontinue encouraging direct flights linking Jakarta and Hanoi and Da Nang, andSurabaya and Da Nang, as well as the increase of direct flights from Ho ChiMinh City to Jakarta.
The diplomat said he believes that the number of Vietnamesetourists to Indonesia will rise along with the increase of the middle class inVietnam.
In 2018, nearly 9.78 million Vietnamese tourists travelledabroad. However, less than 1 percent of them, or only 75,632 people, visitedIndonesia.
From January to July this year, 53,000 Vietnamese peopletoured Indonesia, a rise of 18.11 percent year on year, he noted.
In order to complete the target of welcoming 123,000Vietnamese tourists set by the Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, the IndonesianEmbassy in Hanoi has launched various activities such as engaging in the International East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) Trade and Tourism Fair, andthe Tourism and Investment Fair 2019 in Da Nang, as well as the “Bali andBeyond” tourism promotion in Ho Chi Minh City.
Alongside, theembassy promoted the image of Indonesia in Ha Long on September 15 and will dothe same in Vinh city of Nghe An on September 22./.
An airport on Sumatra island and schools in some provinces of Indonesia were forced to close on September 13 by smoke from forest fires in the country.
Many schools on Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra islands on September 16 were closed due to choking smoke from forest fires while the country has recorded thousands of respiratory infection cases.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on September 17 that about 5,600 additional military personnel have been deployed to help 9,000 people currently fighting bush fires which have razed more than 328,700 hectares of land nationwide.
Indonesia’s parliament has revised the country’s marriage law to lift the minimum age at which women can marry by three years to 19, a move welcomed by campaigners as a step towards curbing child marriage in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Jakarta airport of Indonesia (Photo: airlineratings) 
