HO CHI MINH CITY, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam Airlines inaugurated a flight simulation complex, the first of its kind in Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday, marking a breakthrough in the national flag carrier's pilot training strategy.

The complex, which comprises four simulators, is expected to save 12.5 million U.S. dollars for Vietnam Airlines in 10 years by training pilots itself, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

The complex is also expected to help the Vietnam Airlines training center in Ho Chi Minh City enter Top 5 training centers in Asia. The center currently provides training services for many airlines in the region, including those from Australia and India.

Vietnam's aviation industry served 28.9 million passengers in the first seven months of this year, up 14.6 percent year-on-year, and transported 205,700 tons of cargoes, up 14.1 percent, according to the General Statistics Office.