Direct Hà Nội–Amsterdam flights by Vietnam Airlines to begin on June 16. — Photo courtesy of Vietnam Airlines

HÀ NỘI — National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced the launch of a new direct air route between Hà Nội and Amsterdam of the Netherlands, alongside a series of market promotion activities and business connectivity programmes with leading European travel partners to introduce the new service and promote Việt Nam as a destination.

Under the plan, the Hà Nội–Amsterdam route will commence operations on June 16, with an expected frequency of three return flights per week using modern wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft. This will be the first direct air link between Việt Nam and the Netherlands, helping shorten travel time and enhance connectivity between Việt Nam and one of Europe’s key economic, logistics and aviation transit hubs.

The flight schedule is designed to provide convenient travel options for passengers from Europe to Việt Nam, while also facilitating connections to the airline’s domestic and regional network, including HCM City, Đà Nẵng, Nha Trang, and Phú Quốc, as well as destinations across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Australia.

With the addition of the Hà Nội–Amsterdam service, the carrier will increase its total number of direct routes between Việt Nam and Europe to 12, serving eight destinations including Paris, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Milan, Copenhagen, Moscow, and Amsterdam.

Nguyễn Quang Trung, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, said Europe has always been one of the carrier’s key international markets. The launch event and sales campaign for the Hà Nội–Amsterdam route in the Netherlands demonstrate the airline’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with travel agencies and partners across the region. He expressed his confidence that the new route would create more convenient connectivity between Europe and Việt Nam, contributing to the growth of tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

By expanding its flight network and intensifying market promotion in Europe, Vietnam Airlines continues to affirm its role as the national flag carrier in enhancing links between Việt Nam and major global economic centres, thereby helping boost trade, tourism, and the international promotion of the country and its people.

Market data show that two-way passenger traffic between Việt Nam and the Netherlands exceeded 122,000 in 2024 and continued to grow in 2025, with the Hà Nội–Amsterdam route alone recording a year-on-year increase of over 40 per cent. Amidst rising travel demand between Europe and Southeast Asia, this new route is seen as an effective solution to shorten travel time, reduce transit stops, and enhance passengers' experience.

Beyond passenger transport, the new route is expected to create significant opportunities for air cargo, particularly for Việt Nam’s high-value exports to Europe such as electronics, textiles and garments, fresh agricultural produce, and seafood. The direct connection will shorten delivery time, optimise supply chains, and improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses. — VNA/VNS