Emirates Airline said on Wednesday it will add Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to its global network from June 4. 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 said in a statement that it will use an Airbus A330-200 on the route to Ho Chi Minh City, which is set to become the airline's 124th destination. The airline added that from October 28 2012 the service will be operated by a larger Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft. “Following the signing of the Air Services Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam and the UAE in April 2011, we have been busy planning this route and it comes at a very exciting time for the airline,” said Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline. Trade between the UAE and Vietnam exceeded $24m in 2010 and Emirates, through its cargo arm SkyCargo, has had an active presence in the market for a number of years. Ho Chi Minh City will be the Emirates' eighth route launch in 2012, following on from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday; Dublin on January 9; Lusaka and Harare on February 1; Dallas on Feb. 2 and Seattle on March 1.
