Vietnam Airlines Launches Hanoi–Amsterdam Direct Route
Vietnam Airlines officially launched nonstop service between Hanoi and Amsterdam Schiphol on June 16, 2026 - the first direct air connection between Vietnam and the Netherlands in aviation history. The route operates three times per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, using an Airbus A350 widebody configured with business class and economy seats.
Amsterdam becomes Vietnam Airlines’ eighth European destination. The carrier now serves 12 direct routes to eight European cities: London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Munich, Milan, Copenhagen, Moscow, and Amsterdam. The launch places the inaugural service right at the start of northern Europe’s peak summer travel season, when demand for long-haul leisure travel is at its highest.
The Amsterdam route is part of a broader international expansion push by Vietnam Airlines and its low-cost unit VietJet Air in 2026. VietJet recently launched a Nha Trang–Singapore service from 1 June, a Jakarta–Da Nang route from 29 April, and is preparing inaugural Ho Chi Minh City–Colombo flights from October. VietJet is additionally adding a Hanoi–Prague service from October, giving European travellers a second new direct link into northern Vietnam.
Why this matters for travellers
Until now, every passenger travelling between Vietnam and the Netherlands had to connect through a third country - most commonly via Middle Eastern hubs including Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi. That adds at least three hours of travel time and introduces connection risk. The new service eliminates the transit entirely.
Flight time on the Hanoi–Amsterdam sector is approximately 11 hours 30 minutes westbound and 12 hours eastbound, making it one of the longer nonstop routes in Vietnam Airlines’ network but comparable to competing one-stop itineraries via Doha or Dubai in total journey time once transit waits are factored in. The A350’s cabin is one of Vietnam Airlines’ newest, with lie-flat beds in business class and a two-by-three-by-two configuration in economy.
Passenger numbers between the two countries exceeded 122,000 in 2024 and grew by more than 40% in 2025, making Hanoi–Amsterdam one of the most underserved long-haul markets in Southeast Asia. Demand from the Netherlands’ 400,000-strong Vietnamese diaspora and growing Dutch interest in Vietnam as a travel destination both fuel the route.
Vietnam’s record-breaking 2026
The route launch coincides with Vietnam’s strongest tourism performance to date. The country welcomed 10.6 million foreign visitors in the first five months of 2026, a 14.9% increase year-on-year. Record arrivals from Europe, combined with continued demand from Asia, have made Vietnam one of the most visited destinations in Southeast Asia this year.
Beyond the Amsterdam service, Vietjet Air has announced a parallel Hanoi–Prague route, giving European travellers a second new direct link into northern Vietnam. The combination means Hanoi is now more accessible from Central and Northern Europe than it has ever been.
Practical notes for European travellers
A mandatory pre-arrival declaration form is required for all foreign passport holders entering Vietnam through major international terminals including Noi Bai. The form must be completed no more than seven days before arrival.
Citizens of EU member states and most other European nationalities can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days, making the direct connection straightforward to use without additional paperwork. Dutch passport holders are included in Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption, as are nationals of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and several other European countries. Those from countries not on the exemption list can apply for a Vietnam e-visa online - the process typically takes three business days and costs approximately USD 25. Full details are in our Vietnam visa guide.
The three-times-weekly frequency means flexibility is still limited compared with well-established routes. If your schedule does not fit Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday departures, code-share partners and connecting itineraries through other hubs remain available. We recommend checking Vietnam Airlines directly alongside aggregators for live pricing, or compare fares for your full Vietnam itinerary through our partner.
Noi Bai International Airport is around 30 kilometres from the Old Quarter. The most reliable options are the official taxi rank outside Arrivals or the airport bus (Route 86 runs directly to Hoan Kiem Lake). Journey time by taxi is typically 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. Our practical guides cover what to expect at Noi Bai and how to move efficiently between Hanoi and other destinations like Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An once you arrive. For Hanoi tours and day trips - including Old Quarter walks, Hoan Kiem Lake circuits, and Ha Long Bay excursions - browse the full selection in advance.