Vietnam Airlines will launch a new nonstop service between Hanoi and Hangzhou on 15 November 2026, adding a fourth direct connection between Hanoi and mainland China this year. The carrier will operate four round trips per week on Airbus A321 aircraft.
What changes for travellers
Until now, passengers travelling between Hanoi and Hangzhou had to connect via Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong, adding two to four hours to the journey. The new route cuts that to a direct flight of roughly three and a half hours.
Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province, is one of China’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. The city is best known for West Lake (Xī Hú), a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, and for Lingyin Temple, one of the country’s largest Buddhist sites. It is also a short high-speed rail ride from Shanghai and close to the Wuzhen water towns.
Schedule and fares
The four weekly departures depart Hanoi Noi Bai in the morning and return from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport in the afternoon. Vietnam Airlines issued promotional fares ahead of launch, these remain available until 26 October 2026, after which standard pricing applies. Business-class seats are available on all departures.
This route sits alongside Vietnam Airlines’ existing Hanoi services to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and a growing network of nonstop routes to Japanese and Southeast Asian cities added across 2026.
Entry requirements
All visitors to China must hold a valid visa or qualify under a visa-exemption agreement. Vietnam passport holders currently receive a 15-day visa-free stay in China; many Western passport holders entered the expanded 30-day visa-free programme in late 2025. Check the Chinese embassy in your country before booking, as rules vary by nationality.
Travellers passing through Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport on an international connection may also qualify for China’s 24- or 72-hour transit visa waiver, depending on their destination.
Planning your visit
Hangzhou receives fewer international visitors than Shanghai, making late November through early March a relatively uncrowded window. West Lake is ringed by lotus beds and tea plantations, which are at their best in spring, so arrivals in November are catching the tail of autumn foliage before winter sets in.
For itinerary ideas covering northern Vietnam alongside a potential China extension, see the guides in Hanoi or the broader practical travel information on when to visit Vietnam.