PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to launch direct flights from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, to Siem Reap cultural province of Cambodia, which will contribute to boosting tourism and air transport between the two destinations.

The agreement was made during the Cambodia-Vietnam Trade and Investment Promotion Forum 2023 held on Tuesday in Hanoi, under the presidency of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and H.E. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam, according to the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism.

“The opening of direct flights will provide many benefits by attracting tourists from Vietnam and the flow of businessmen, and investors, as well as facilitating transport and air freight,” the ministry said.

A report from the Ministry of Tourism shows that in the first 10 months of this year, Cambodia welcomed 95,895 Vietnamese tourists, an increase of 68.90 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

This year 2023 marks the 56th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Vietnam.