Among the South-east Asian countries, Vietnam is the first to launch its privately-owner airline which begins on Tuesday.

The Indochina Airlines said it would open five flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang City and Hanoi.

The company, chaired by Ha Hung Dung, a well-known Vietnamese pop music composer and businessman, said, ‘The launch of our airlines aims to meet growing air travel demand in Vietnam and will offer more choices for customers.’

Indochina Airlines will be third airline to offer domestic flights in Vietnam, including national carrier Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific, a partnership between a state-owned carrier and Australia’s Qantas, which is currently holding an 18 per cent stake.