In a conversation with Travel Trade Journal, Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager India, Vietnam Airlines, and Abhishek Goyal, CEO and Director, Aeroprime Group shared insights into the airline’s strategic expansion in India.
Vietnam Airlines is accelerating its expansion into India’s booming travel market with new routes to South India’s key cities. The carrier has announced direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad to Hanoi, Vietnam as a strategic commitment to the Indian travel trade.
New Routes and Fleet Expansion
Starting May 2025, Vietnam Airlines will operate four weekly flights from Bengaluru (BLR) and three weekly flights from Hyderabad (HYD) to Hanoi, using its modern Airbus A321 aircraft.
With these additions, the carrier now serves four major Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, strengthening its presence in the region and enhancing connectivity between India and Vietnam.
This expansion comes on the heels of robust performance in its current India operations. The airline has maintained 14 weekly flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City since 2022, with seat loads consistently above 80 per cent. Encouraged by the results, the carrier is now moving into India’s southern gateways, offering more options for travellers and trade partners.
Alongside opening new routes, Vietnam Airlines is upgrading its fleet deployment on existing Indian sectors. Hieu informed, “We will introduce wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 aircraft on the Mumbai–Hanoi route, operating four flights weekly, in addition to already serving the Delhi-Vietnam route with daily wide-body aircraft operations. These state-of-the-art jets significantly increase capacity and enhance onboard comfort with features like fully flat beds in business class and advanced in-flight entertainment.”
“Upgrading to the world-class Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft demonstrates Vietnam Airlines’ commitment to enhancing customer experience. We are proud to support Vietnam Airlines in its journey. With a strong and growing demand for this stunning destination, these upgraded operations will further strengthen connectivity and offer Indian travellers an unparalleled travel experience,” said Goyal.
Strategic Focus on South India
Vietnam Airlines’ decision to prioritise South India, launching in Bengaluru and Hyderabad before other cities reflects a calculated strategy. These two urban hubs are among India’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets, fuelled by their booming IT industries, affluent middle class, and burgeoning corporate travel demand. By planting its flag in South India, the airline is tapping regions that until now had no direct full-service link to Hanoi.
While airlines have maxed out allocations on traditional metros, Vietnam Airlines identified Bengaluru and Hyderabad as high potential markets that could be developed, primarily if classified outside the strictly capped routes. “We see tremendous growth potential based on our continuous evaluation of market demand in India. Expanding our route network in this fast-growing market is our priority alongisde offering unparalleled Vietnamese hospitality and service,” said Hieu, emphasising the airline’s intent to serve more Indian cities.
Adding to this, Goyal said, “The expansion into Bengaluru and Hyderabad is a game-changer for Vietnam Airlines in India. These new routes will make travel more convenient for business and leisure travellers alike while offering an enhanced flying experience onboard with world-famous Vietnamese hospitality.”
Passenger Segmentation and Market Growth
The expansion into Bengaluru and Hyderabad is tailored to cater to diverse traveller segments from India. Vietnam Airlines and tourism officials anticipate robust uptake across leisure tourists, the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) segment, and corporate travellers from these cities. In recent years, Vietnam has seen a surge in Indian leisure visitors drawn by its beaches, heritage sites, and cuisine, so much so that Vietnam was the “Most Searched Destination for Indians in 2023,” according to Google Trends. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s emergence as a destination for Indian weddings, golf tours, and corporate offsites has spurred interest in MICE travel.
Competitive Positioning and SkyTeam Alliance
Unlike its no-frills competitors, Vietnam Airlines offers full-service amenities. The airline recently introduced an Indian-customised in-flight menu (covering Jain, vegetarian, and regional cuisines) and heightened cabin crew training to cater to Indian passengers’ cultural expectations, further differentiating its product.
Another key advantage is Vietnam Airlines’ membership in the SkyTeam alliance. As the only SkyTeam member operating direct flights from India to Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines provides Indian passengers seamless access to a global network. “India is one of the most important markets for the airline. Vietnam Airlines is investing in the Indian market and offers a range of connectivity options,” Goyal noted.
B2B Engagement and Trade Strategies
Recognising that travel agents and tour operators are key to driving traffic, the airline through its Indian General Sales Agent, Aeroprime Group, has been actively engaging the travel trade community. Its strategies include joint marketing campaigns, product presentations, and participation in high-profile industry events to raise awareness of Vietnam as a destination and Vietnam Airlines as a preferred carrier. “Education and partnerships are key,” Goyal noted as Aeroprime Group liaises with travel agencies on behalf of Vietnam Airlines. “We work closely with travel partners to ensure they have the knowledge and tools to promote Vietnam effectively, be it through special packages, familiarisation trips, or attractive incentive programmes,” he added.
 and three weekly flights from Hyderabad (HYD) to Hanoi, using its modern Airbus A321 aircraft.){kind=link}