Dubai: Emirates will be launching services to the Vietnam’s commercial capital of Ho Chi Minh City starting June 4, 2012, continuing its expansion in South East Asia, the carrier said today in a statement.

Home to over seven million people, the Ho Chi Minh City will become the airline’s 124th destination and eight route launch this year, with the route to be operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER in a two class configuration.

The Emirates flight will depart Dubai International Airport at 0925hrs arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 1920hrs, Emirates stated, with the return flight departing at 2050hrs arriving in Dubai at 0045hrs the following day.

“Following the signing of the Air Services Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam and the UAE in April 2011, we have been busy planning this route and it comes at a very exciting time for the airline, as our global network continues to expand,” Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said in a statement.

He added that Emirates will offer tourists and business travellers, particularly from the Middle East, Africa and Europe, a “convenient option” to access Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City’s launch would follow on from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro on January 3; Dublin on January 9; Lusaka and Harare on February 1; Dallas February 2 and Seattle on March 1.