Vietnam Airlines will open a direct route to the United States by the end of 2007, an executive of the country's national flag carrier said on Jan. 26.

Vice General Director Pham Ngoc Minh said at present Vietnam Airlines was working hard to launch the route as scheduled, despite tough competition from foreign rivals.

The detailed project will be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval in the first quarter of this year.

The biggest difficulty for launching the route was competition, Minh said, noting that around 12 airlines currently transport passengers from the United States to Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines on Jan.25 received the second A321 aircraft under its contract to buy 10 A321s.

It is expected to implement a project to buy four Boeing 787s this year, bringing its fleet to 45 aircrafts.

Alongside international routes, Vietnam Airlines will launch domestic routes to famous tourist sites such as Cam Ranh in the central province of Khanh Hoa, Phu Quoc off the province of Kien Giang and the former imperial city of Hue in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.