Direct flights from Gatwick to Vietnam begin
The first direct flight to Vietnam from the UK has taken off from Gatwick.
Vietnam Airlines will operate services twice a week to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Previously, UK travellers had to fly via Hong Kong and Bangkok.
The new service will save passengers a couple of hours on their journey time, cutting flights to 12 hours.
President of Vietnam Airlines, Dr Pham Ngoc Minh, said direct air services would deliver "enormous economic and social benefits" to both countries.