Direct air route promised to boost Vietnam-Singapore relations   The inauguration of a direct Singapore-Phu Quoc air route provides the opportunity for further development of the economic possibilities between Vietnam and Singapore, particularly offering up opportunities to boost the region’s image as a top family holiday destination. At a seminar in Singapore on September 30, Vice Secretary of the Kien Giang provincial Party Committee Nguyen Thanh Nghi highlighted the island's favourable environment, virgin forests, white sandy beaches and wide variety of wildlife, which make it an ideal holiday location. Nguyen Tien Nam, head of Vietnam Airlines’ branch in Singapore said the move opens up new opportunities for both Singaporean and Vietnamese investors. Nam affirmed Vietnam Airlines has always considered Singapore an important market. That is why, the airline decided to open the air route on November 2 with direct flights on every Thursday and Sunday, Nam said. Nam stressed the event is expected to help Vietnam Airlines operate 37 flights per week between Singapore and Vietnam, thus affirming the airlines’ strong commitment to the development of the aviation sector and socio-economic development of the two nations. Vietnam Ambassador to Singapore Tran Hai Hau expressed hope that after the opening of the fourth direct route connecting to Singapore to other Vietnamese localities, new air routes will be launched over the next few years to further deepen Singapore-Vietnam relations. Hau emphasized in 2013, leaders of both nations decided to elevate bilateral ties to a strategic partnership while economic and trade ties reaped impressive results. Singapore became the third largest trade partner of Vietnam with investment of over US$30 billion, while two-way trade turnover reached over US$15 billion last year, Hau said. In the first seven months of the year, an estimated 120,000 Singapore visitors arrived in Vietnam while nearly 200,000 Vietnamese citizens visited Singapore, up 5.5% and 14% respectively against the corresponding period last year. VOV