AUCKLAND — Vietnam Airlines, Saigontourist Group and Distinction Hotels Group have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote two-way tourism between Việt Nam and New Zealand, as part of Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm’s state visit to New Zealand.

The agreement marks the first time three companies representing the aviation, travel and hospitality sectors in Việt Nam and New Zealand have joined forces to develop joint tourism products.

New Zealand is considered a promising market for Việt Nam’s tourism industry. According to the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism, the country welcomed 40,255 New Zealand visitors in the first seven months of 2026, up 22.4 per cent year-on-year. Meanwhile, New Zealand has remained a popular destination for Vietnamese travellers, thanks to its diverse natural landscapes.

Under the MoU, the three partners will work together to develop tour packages and promotional programmes for travellers between the two countries, combining Vietnam Airlines’ air services, Saigontourist Group’s travel services and Distinction Hotels Group’s hotel network.

The products will cater to travellers in both directions, including Vietnamese visitors to New Zealand and New Zealanders travelling to Việt Nam. Packages are expected to cover the full travel experience, from flights and accommodation to sightseeing and other destination services.

Launch dates and specific pricing will be announced after the three parties finalise detailed agreements.

Nguyễn Quang Trung, deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines, said New Zealand still has considerable potential for Việt Nam’s tourism industry.

“By combining the strengths of the three companies, we can offer travellers more choices and a more convenient travel experience between the two countries,” he said.

Saigontourist Group operates across a wide range of tourism-related sectors, including travel, accommodation, restaurants, entertainment, conferences, golf and workforce training. The group has an extensive international partner network and regularly enters into destination marketing and cooperation agreements with airlines and overseas hotel groups to diversify products for Vietnamese travellers.

Distinction Hotels Group is a New Zealand hospitality company with more than 30 years of experience and a network of hotels across both North and South Islands. Its properties range from major urban centres to destinations known for nature-based tourism, making the network well suited to multi-destination itineraries for Vietnamese visitors.

For Vietnam Airlines, the agreement builds on a series of destination-promotion partnerships the carrier has pursued in international markets in recent years, as it seeks to expand its network of travel and hospitality partners alongside the growth of its flight network. — VNS