Updated: November 3, 2026
Vietnam's international aviation network is expanding in 2026, bringing new travel opportunities for visitors from Europe, India, Central Asia, China, and Southeast Asia. Airlines are introducing new destinations, opening additional nonstop services, and strengthening connections through Vietnam's major international airports.
For international travelers, these developments mean more choices when planning a Vietnam holiday. Visitors may find it easier to fly directly to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang without unnecessary connections through regional aviation hubs.
Among the most significant developments are Vietnam Airlines' new Hanoi–Amsterdam service, Air India's Delhi–Hanoi flights, new connections with Sri Lanka and Thailand, and Vietjet's expansion into China and Central Asia.
However, not every newly announced route is already operating. Some services are scheduled to begin later in November, while others are still awaiting confirmed operating dates.
This guide examines the new international direct flights to Vietnam in 2026, their airlines, airport codes, launch dates, and what they mean for travelers exploring the country.
Vietnam's three major international gateways—Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang—remain central to the country's expanding aviation network.
Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport serves northern Vietnam, including Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, and the northern mountains.
Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the principal gateway to southern Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta and connecting flights to Phu Quoc.
Da Nang International Airport provides convenient access to central Vietnam, including Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, Hue, and the coastal resorts.
The following table highlights selected international services launched or announced during 2026.
| Country | International route | Airline | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Hanoi (HAN) – Amsterdam (AMS) | Vietnam Airlines | Launched June 16 |
| India | Delhi (DEL) – Hanoi (HAN) | Air India | Launched May 1 |
| Sri Lanka | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Colombo (CMB) | Vietnam Airlines | Launched August 16 |
| Thailand | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Phuket (HKT) | Vietnam Airlines | Launched July 2 |
| Kazakhstan | Hanoi (HAN) – Almaty (ALA) | Vietjet | Launched October 10 |
| Czech Republic | Hanoi (HAN) – Prague (PRG), via Almaty | Vietjet | Launched October 10; one stop |
| China | Hanoi (HAN) – Enshi (ENH) | Vietjet | Operating since April |
| China | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Guilin (KWL) | Vietjet | Operating since April |
| India | Hanoi (HAN) – Ahmedabad (AMD) | Vietnam Airlines | Scheduled from November 3 |
| Singapore | Da Nang (DAD) – Singapore (SIN) | Vietnam Airlines | Scheduled from November 17 |
| China | Hanoi (HAN) – Hangzhou (HGH) | Vietnam Airlines | Scheduled from November 22 |
This is a selection of notable services rather than an exhaustive list of every seasonal, charter, or newly introduced airline operation.
Importantly, the Prague service involves a stop in Almaty. It should not be described as a nonstop Hanoi–Prague flight.
One of Vietnam's most important aviation developments in 2026 is the introduction of nonstop flights between Hanoi and Amsterdam.
Vietnam Airlines officially launched the route on June 16, connecting Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).
The airline operates Airbus A350 aircraft, with three weekly round-trip services initially scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The journey takes approximately 12 hours.
Amsterdam is an important international aviation hub, providing connections throughout the Netherlands and other European countries.
For Dutch travelers, the new nonstop service offers a convenient way to begin a Vietnam holiday in Hanoi.
It also creates opportunities for travelers from neighboring European markets to reach Vietnam through Amsterdam.
Visitors can explore northern Vietnam before continuing south to Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The new route is particularly attractive for two- or three-week Vietnam itineraries beginning in the capital.
Vietjet introduced its Hanoi–Prague service on October 10, 2026.
The route connects Hanoi with Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) in the Czech Republic, with a scheduled stop at Almaty International Airport (ALA) in Kazakhstan.
The service uses Airbus A330 aircraft and was announced with two weekly round trips.
Although the airline markets Hanoi–Prague as a direct connection, the flight is not nonstop.
Travelers should check the stopover arrangements, total journey time, and any applicable transit requirements.
The service provides another travel option between Vietnam and Central Europe, while the Hanoi–Almaty sector adds connectivity with Kazakhstan.
India continues to be an important growth market for Vietnamese tourism.
In 2026, airlines expanded connections between Indian cities and Vietnam, making it easier for travelers to plan holidays combining culture, nature, shopping, and beach resorts.
On May 1, 2026, Air India inaugurated nonstop flights between Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi (DEL) and Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi (HAN).
The airline introduced five weekly services using Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Hanoi became Air India's second Vietnamese destination after Ho Chi Minh City.
This offers travelers greater flexibility when organizing multi-city itineraries.
For example, visitors can arrive in Hanoi, explore northern and central Vietnam, and depart from Ho Chi Minh City without returning to their original arrival airport.
Such an arrangement is commonly known as an open-jaw itinerary.
Vietnam Airlines announced a new direct connection between Hanoi and Ahmedabad, with services scheduled to begin on November 3, 2026.
The route links Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD).
The airline plans four weekly round-trip flights using Airbus A321 aircraft.
Ahmedabad provides access to Gujarat, one of India's major economic and commercial regions.
The route may support leisure travel, corporate travel, and group tourism between western India and Vietnam.
As the announced start date coincides with this article's publication date, travelers should confirm that the inaugural service has operated and check the current timetable before booking.
Vietnam Airlines has also expanded its regional network with connections to Colombo and Phuket.
Vietnam Airlines inaugurated its nonstop service between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo on August 16, 2026.
The route connects Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) with Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), serving Sri Lanka's capital region.
The airline initially introduced three weekly flights.
This connection creates new opportunities for travelers interested in combining Vietnam and Sri Lanka within a broader Asian itinerary.
It may also encourage more Sri Lankan visitors to explore Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and other Vietnamese destinations.
On July 2, 2026, Vietnam Airlines launched nonstop flights between Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Phuket International Airport (HKT).
The route was introduced with four weekly round-trip services using Airbus A321 aircraft.
Phuket is one of Thailand's best-known beach destinations, while Ho Chi Minh City is a major aviation hub for southern Vietnam.
The new service offers convenient options for travelers combining the two countries.
For example, visitors may explore Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta before continuing to Phuket, or travel in the opposite direction and connect onward within Vietnam.
China remains one of Vietnam's important international visitor markets.
In April 2026, Vietjet announced five additional routes connecting Vietnamese cities with destinations in China.
The announced network included:
Hanoi (HAN) – Enshi Xujiaping Airport (ENH).
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Guilin Liangjiang Airport (KWL).
Hanoi (HAN) – Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH).
Hanoi (HAN) – Huangshan Tunxi Airport (TXN).
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Huangshan Tunxi Airport (TXN).
According to Vietjet, the Hanoi–Enshi and Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin services were already operating from early April 2026.
The remaining routes were announced as part of the airline's expansion plans, but their operational status should be checked individually.
Guilin, Huangshan, and Enshi are associated with distinctive natural landscapes and cultural attractions.
New services can support two-way tourism, allowing Vietnamese travelers to discover additional Chinese destinations while bringing visitors from regional Chinese markets to Vietnam.
For inbound tourism operators, these routes may create opportunities to develop itineraries featuring Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and southern Vietnam.
Vietnam Airlines has also announced a Hanoi–Hangzhou service scheduled for November 22, 2026.
This is a separate airline operation from Vietjet's previously announced Hanoi–Hangzhou route.
Travelers should compare airlines, schedules, and airport details before booking.
Da Nang is becoming an increasingly important international gateway, particularly for travelers visiting central Vietnam.
Vietnam Airlines has announced daily nonstop flights between Da Nang International Airport (DAD) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), beginning November 17, 2026.
The route is planned to operate using Airbus A321 aircraft, with a flight time of approximately three hours.
Singapore is one of Southeast Asia's major aviation hubs, connecting travelers from numerous international markets.
The new Vietnam Airlines service provides another option for passengers traveling between Singapore and central Vietnam.
From Da Nang, visitors can explore beaches, coastal resorts, the Marble Mountains, Son Tra Peninsula, and Ba Na Hills.
The airport also provides access to Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary, and Hue.
For travelers with limited time, flying directly to Da Nang can eliminate the need for an additional domestic flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
However, this represents a new service by Vietnam Airlines rather than the first-ever nonstop connection between Da Nang and Singapore.
The expansion of international air services offers several advantages for travelers and the tourism industry.
Travelers no longer need to plan every Vietnam itinerary around a single arrival and departure airport.
An itinerary may begin in Hanoi and finish in Ho Chi Minh City, or start in Da Nang and continue to other parts of the country.
This flexibility is particularly useful for two- and three-week journeys.
International gateways provide connections to destinations beyond their immediate cities.
Hanoi serves as a gateway to northern Vietnam, while Da Nang offers access to central Vietnam's heritage sites and coastal resorts.
Ho Chi Minh City supports travel throughout the south and onward connections to other destinations.
Additional international routes can help travel companies develop products for specific source markets.
Indian travelers may be interested in family holidays and beach resorts, while European visitors often combine cultural sightseeing with nature experiences.
Regional routes also support short breaks, business travel, and multi-country holidays.
These are market opportunities rather than guaranteed outcomes of individual route launches.
Before booking a flight, international visitors should consider several important details.
Check whether the flight is nonstop. A direct flight may include an intermediate stop, as demonstrated by Vietjet's Hanoi–Prague service via Almaty.
Confirm the operating date. Announced routes may not yet be available, and inaugural schedules can change.
Use the correct airport codes. Hanoi is HAN, Ho Chi Minh City is SGN, and Da Nang is DAD.
Compare total travel time. A flight with a stop may take considerably longer than a nonstop service.
Review baggage allowances. Checked baggage, meals, and seat selection may differ between airlines and ticket categories.
Consider open-jaw tickets. Arriving in northern Vietnam and departing from the south can reduce unnecessary backtracking.
Check visa requirements. Vietnam's entry rules depend on nationality, passport type, and length of stay. Confirm the latest requirements through official immigration channels.
Monitor seasonal schedules. Some routes operate only on selected days or during particular travel periods.
The introduction of new international flights in 2026 represents an important development for Vietnam's tourism industry.
The Hanoi–Amsterdam route strengthens connections with Europe, while new services involving India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and China expand access across Asia.
Additional airline services to Da Nang and other Vietnamese gateways provide travelers with more options for planning their journeys.
Not every announced route is operational, and some services involve intermediate stops. Nevertheless, the growing international network offers opportunities for more flexible and convenient travel.
For international visitors, Vietnam is becoming easier to explore through a wider range of airline connections and arrival airports.
At Vietnamtravels.com, we monitor new international flights, airport developments, and transportation updates to help travelers plan their journeys with accurate, practical, and up-to-date information.
Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) – Updates on new international routes and airline operations in 2026.
https://caa.gov.vn/
Vietnam Airlines – Official announcements on new flights to Amsterdam, Colombo, Phuket, Ahmedabad, and Singapore.
https://www.vietnamairlines.com/
Vietjet Air – New international routes connecting Vietnam with China, Kazakhstan, and the Czech Republic.
https://www.vietjetair.com/
Air India – Official information on the new Delhi–Hanoi nonstop service.
https://www.airindia.com/
Vietnam Government News – Aviation developments and international air connectivity updates.
https://en.baochinhphu.vn/
Last updated: November 3, 2026. Flight schedules, frequencies, and route availability may change. Travelers should verify the latest information directly with airlines before booking.
