First European Charter Flights Land in Vietnam This Summer
Vietnam is welcoming its first-ever summer charter flights from Europe this season, marking a significant shift in how travellers from Poland and other European countries are reaching the country.
Vietluxtour, a Polish tour operator specialising in group travel to Southeast Asia, is running one charter flight per month from Warsaw to Vietnam between May and September 2026, with each aircraft carrying around 300 passengers. Itineraries in the 14-night packages typically cover Hanoi and the north, a central coast stop in Da Nang or Hoi An, and a southern segment in Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first time the company has routed European visitors to Vietnam during summer - a season historically dominated by package holidays to Thailand, Bali, and Mediterranean destinations.
Why the shift to Vietnam
The pivot reflects a broader trend across European travel markets. Regional instability in Thailand and surrounding destinations has prompted European travel agents and tour operators to reassess Vietnam as a dependable summer alternative. Vietnam’s improving air connectivity, stable tourism environment, and competitive pricing relative to Thailand have made the switch straightforward for operators already familiar with Southeast Asian logistics.
Charter flights reduce the per-seat cost significantly compared with scheduled carriers, and the direct routing from Warsaw avoids the connections through Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul that add six to eight hours to a typical Polish traveller’s journey to Vietnam. Vietluxtour’s summer pricing reportedly starts from approximately PLN 6,500 (around USD 1,600) per person for the full package including flights, accommodation, and guided transfers.
Scheduled airline capacity growing in parallel
Vietnam Airlines is also strengthening European ties this summer. The carrier’s direct Amsterdam–Hanoi service launched June 16, 2026, operating three times weekly on the A350. From London Heathrow, Vietnam Airlines already runs three nonstop weekly flights to Hanoi and two weekly flights to Ho Chi Minh City. Vietjet Air has additionally announced a Hanoi–Prague route, giving Central European travellers direct access to northern Vietnam for the first time.
Vietnam’s aviation network has now expanded to 113 international routes, up from fewer than 90 at the same point in 2024.
The numbers behind the trend
Vietnam recorded 8.8 million international arrivals in the first four months of 2026 - a 14.6 percent year-on-year increase and the highest figure ever recorded for that period. April alone saw 2.03 million visitors, the fourth consecutive month above 2 million. European arrivals are growing faster than the overall average, driven by new direct routes and the rising profile of Vietnam as a destination beyond the traditional backpacker circuit.
The country is on track toward its annual target of 25 million arrivals. For European travellers planning a first trip, the flights to Vietnam guide covers the main airport options, airlines, and routing choices. You can also compare and book Vietnam flights across all carriers. Those unsure of the best window to visit can check the best time to visit Vietnam, which breaks down weather patterns city by city. Beach-focused visitors should also look at Da Nang and Phu Quoc, both of which are well positioned for summer arrivals from Europe. For a taste of what to book on arrival, browse Vietnam tours and activities.
Visa situation for European travellers
Citizens of Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, and most other EU countries can enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days under Vietnam’s unilateral exemption scheme. Longer stays require a Vietnam e-visa, available online for approximately USD 25 with a 90-day validity. The policy makes Vietnam among the more accessible long-haul destinations for European travellers in the region, with no embassy appointment required and no health certificate needed as of mid-2026.