Thai Airways expected to open Bangkok - Da Nang route in October HANOI - SGT cited Mr. Kitipong Manityakul, director of Thai Airways in Vietnam as saying that his carrier was scheduled to open a new route between Bangkok and the central coastal city of Da Nang in October this year, and the Vietnamese authorities have approved with the plan and that the carrier was finalizing procedures for putting the route into operation on schedule. However, foreign tourists cannot obtain entry visas at the Da Nang Airport, he said , as for the time being foreigners could only enter the country via two international airports, Noi Bai in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat in HCMC, adding the Da Nang Airport has just been opened to chartered flights from Hong Kong. He said his airline was discussing entry visa procedures with the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry and Customs Department, so that foreign tourists can apply for entry visas at Vietnamese embassies abroad. The airline however has affirmed it will have regular flight between the Thai capital and Da Nang, so visa procedures should be streamlined. Thai Airways is expected to run three direct flights on the route using Boeing 737s, with the return ticket price likely at US$280. It also hopes to attract European and US tourists to take this route to go to Vietnam. Vietnam Economic Times - June 18, 1999