Vietnam Airlines began operating scheduled direct flights to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on March 29, 2026. It runs a total of five flights, three per week to Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport) and two per week to Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport), using Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Route details and flight schedule
The summer timetable continues through October 24, 2026, after which it will shift to a winter timetable that includes additional flights. Vietnam Airlines holds a five-star APEX rating, and its internationally recognized cabin service quality is also worth noting.
| Line | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| London-Hanoi | 3 flights per week (direct) | B787-9 |
| London-Ho Chi Minh City | 2 flights per week | B787-9 |
Implications for Japanese travelers
Opening this route brings real benefits to Japanese people living in Europe and to travelers considering a "Vietnam via London" route. In particular, the three-times-weekly Hanoi service dramatically improves access to sightseeing around the capital (Hanoi's Old Town, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa).
Travelers from Japan usually take a "direct Japan-Vietnam" route or go "via Bangkok or Singapore," but a new option of "entering Vietnam via London" combined with a Europe trip has become realistic. For example, it becomes easier to plan a trip covering both Europe and Vietnam on a "London-Hanoi-return to Japan" route.
The competitive landscape and market backdrop of Vietnam-Europe routes
As geopolitical instability in the Middle East diversifies the connecting routes European travelers use to reach Asia, Vietnam Airlines' direct London flights are expected to boost the number of European visitors to Vietnam.
As of the end of March 2026, Vietnam's tourism authority statistics show visitor numbers from Europe trending upward year on year, and against the backdrop of Middle East turmoil, airlines are opening direct routes to Asia one after another.Trends among European travelers to VietnamandInformation on the opening of Hyatt Regency Nha Trangis also worth checking.
Summary: a new route directly tied to summer 2026 Vietnam travel plans
The launch of direct London-Vietnam flights is a plus for all three groups: Europe-based residents, Japanese people traveling in Europe, and inbound visitors from Europe. The comfortable B787-9 cabin environment and the five-flights-a-week schedule are set to bring Vietnam and Europe closer together.
