Vietnam-India New Direct Flight Routes: A Boost to Tourism and Business

Vietnam welcomed 443,000 Indian visitors in the first eight months of 2025, a 42.2 percent increase year-on-year. As the country cements its position as one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic tourism and business hubs, expanding air connectivity with India marks an important step forward in deepening bilateral ties and supporting rising travel demand.

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On May 1, 2025, Vietnam Airlines inaugurated its new direct flight route between Hanoi and Bengaluru, India’s prominent technology and innovation hub. This will be followed by another direct connection to Hyderabad on May 7, 2025.

These additions significantly enhance Vietnam’s aviation footprint in India, offering a total of six direct routes connecting major cities in both countries. For businesses, travel operators, legal professionals, and investors, the new connectivity presents opportunities to deepen trade and tourism exchanges in a high-growth corridor.

Vietnam sees strong growth in Indian tourist arrivals

Vietnam has been attracting more Indian tourists recently. In 2023, it welcomed 392,000 Indian visitors, and that increased to 507,000 in 2024. In the first eight months of 2025, the country saw 443,000 Indian visitors, a 42.2 percent rise from the same period last year.

Vietnam continues to offer increasingly favorable conditions for Indian travelers. The country offers a streamlined e-visa process with stays of up to 90 days and single- or multiple-entry options.

Air connectivity is also expanding, with more direct routes linking major cities in India and Vietnam – about 100 direct flights per week – making travel easier. Additionally, the growth of Indian-style restaurants in key destinations like Hanoi, Ha Long, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City enhances the visitor experience.

Coupled with a safe, welcoming environment and the country’s reputation for hospitality, these factors create a convenient and memorable travel experience for Indian visitors choosing Vietnam.

See also: Vietnam’s Visa for Indian Tourists

Expanded routes and operational details

The latest expansion sees the launch of four weekly round-trip flights between Hanoi and Bengaluru using Airbus A321 aircraft. The inaugural flight, VN983, carried over 130 passengers from Hanoi to Bengaluru, with the return leg VN982 arriving in Hanoi early the next morning with more than 160 passengers. The upcoming Hanoi-Hyderabad route will operate three times a week. With these additions, Vietnam Airlines now connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to four key Indian cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

Vietnam Airlines has operated over 3,200 flights and transported more than 501,427 passengers to and from India since entering the market. These figures underscore the commercial and strategic rationale behind expanding services to India’s tech and cultural hubs. The new routes reduce transit times, improve accessibility, and reflect rising demand from both leisure and business travelers.

Strengthening tourism ties and market positioning

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India has rapidly risen to become one of Vietnam’s top 10 tourism source markets. In 2024 alone, Vietnam welcomed over 500,000 Indian visitors, representing a 297 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels. This growth is attributed to simplified visa procedures, growing interest in Vietnam as a leisure and wedding destination, and improved air connectivity. Destinations like Phu Quoc, Ha Long, and Da Nang have emerged as preferred spots for Indian tourists, driven by scenic appeal, beach resorts, and culinary experiences.

Da Nang, in particular, has experienced a surge in popularity, receiving over 222,000 Indian visitors in 2024. Compared to 2019, Indian tourist numbers to Da Nang have grown by over 13.5 times. The combination of direct flights and focused tourism promotion has made the city one of the top five international destinations for Indian travelers.

Vietnam has also achieved significant milestones in broader tourism recovery. The country attracted 17.5 million international visitors in 2024, overtaking Singapore and ranking behind only Thailand and Malaysia in Southeast Asia. Vietnam has recovered 98 percent of its pre-pandemic tourism volume, outperforming regional peers including Thailand (87.5 percent) and Singapore (86 percent). This momentum is further supported by the entry of global luxury brands and expanded listings in the Michelin Guide.

Read more: Vietnam’s Tourism Boom During Tet 2025: Leading Destinations and Insights

Economic and business implications

From a business and investment standpoint, improved connectivity to cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad opens doors for deeper engagement in IT services, digital trade, fintech, and education. Bengaluru is home to hundreds of global IT and R&D centers, while Hyderabad hosts a thriving life sciences and startup ecosystem. Direct flights reduce costs for frequent travelers and enable greater B2B and B2G interactions across sectors.

Indian businesses looking to expand into ASEAN markets now have more convenient access to Vietnam, a country offering a competitive manufacturing base, a young workforce, and participation in major trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). For Vietnamese firms, India represents a vast market for food exports, electronic components, and tourism marketing. This new aviation link strengthens both countries’ ability to capitalize on shared economic goals.

Legal professionals, investors, and consultants facilitating trade, incorporation, or joint ventures may find increased demand for services in sectors like hospitality, e-commerce, logistics, and education. Improved air travel reduces friction in deal execution, site visits, and market development.

Regulatory and institutional support

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Strong bilateral aviation ties and institutional support from both sides have facilitated the route expansion.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation have coordinated closely on scheduling and frequency approvals. Vietnam’s National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have worked with Vietnamese embassies and Indian tour operators to drive awareness of Vietnam’s tourism offerings.

Vietnam has simplified entry requirements for Indian nationals, including electronic visa (e-visa) access and streamlined arrival procedures. On the business front, the Enterprise Law (Law No. 59/2020/QH14) and supporting circulars offer clearer procedures for establishing representative offices and joint ventures, making it easier for Indian firms to explore or enter the Vietnamese market.

In brief

Vietnam’s decision to expand flight routes to India represents more than improved mobility; it signals a strategic shift toward deeper bilateral cooperation in tourism, business, and regional connectivity. For investors, legal professionals, and service providers, these new links reduce barriers and open new channels for engagement across high-growth sectors. As direct flights between Hanoi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad take off, they offer a critical foundation for future India-Vietnam collaborations in travel, trade, and technology.

(This article was originally published May 8, 2025. It was last updated November 19, 2025.)

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