VIETNAM AIRLINES: Eyes ambitious network expansion with New International Routes in 2025
Vietnam Airlines (VN), based in Hanoi, is considering an ambitious network expansion. The Vietnamese flag carrier has its sights set on new international destinations across Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America.
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Growing global footprint
Vietnam Airlines will soon fly to six European cities: London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), and Milan (MXP), starting in July 2025.
In Australia, it flies to Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and San Francisco (SFO) as its single destination in the United States. The carrier also connects to India’s Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM).
That’s a total of 91 routes—34 domestic and 57 international. In 2024, the airline serviced 54 destinations worldwide, moving 24.1 million passengers. But VN clearly wants more.
Australia
Vietnam Airlines’ Australian network already includes daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL), plus three weekly flights to Perth (PER). Hanoi sees three weekly flights to both Sydney and Melbourne.
The latest addition under consideration is Darwin (DRW), potentially the airline’s fourth Australian city. Darwin’s proximity to Asia could make it an attractive gateway for further connectivity.
Europe
According to Aviation A2Z, Vietnam Airlines is investigating some new European destinations. Copenhagen (CPH) in Denmark is on its list. This would follow the addition of Milan (MXP) in July 2025, operating three times a week with Boeing 787s.
North America
At present, Vietnam Airlines’ sole U.S. destination is San Francisco (SFO), served three times weekly with Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA) are on the radar, alongside Vancouver (YVR) in Canada—a first foray into the northern neighbour’s aviation market.
Aiming for new horizons
Closer to home, Dubai (DXB) in the UAE, Bangalore (BLR) in India, and Dhaka (DAC) in Bangladesh are under exploration. This marks Vietnam Airlines’ first potential venture into Bangladesh and the Middle East.
2025 is a year of growth
Vietnam Airlines has been busy. Last year, it added Munich (MUC) to its European routes and strengthened its Southeast Asian network with new flights to Phnom Penh (PNH) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Domestically, it launched services from Da Nang (DAD) to Da Lat, Buon Ma Thuot, and Can Tho—a clear signal of its intent to dominate both local and international skies.
2PAXfly Takeout
Vietname Airlines often has competitive pricing, and with good quality service, new aircraft and reasonable schedules, it is a solid 2nd tier option for flying long-haul, especially in Business Class.
Admittedly, on its routes between Australia and Europe, timings are not always great, with long layovers in either Saigon, or Hanoi. Last time I travelled with them, we turned the long layover into a couple of days staying at the amazing Intercontinental Asiana in Ho Chi Minh City. I have a bunch of reviews for you to read on that trip back in 2015/16.
With Vietnam Airlines ambitiously charting new routes, 2025 could be a transformative year for the carrier.
I consider Vietnam such an authoritarian country that I will probably never visit Vietnam nor fly Vietnam Airlines, even if they had a good Australia-Europe fare.
I have so many thoughts on that, that I best keep my own council.