Vietnam Airlines launches the first nonstop Ho Chi Minh City to Copenhagen route, boosting travel, trade, and connectivity between Vietnam and Northern Europe.
This establishes the first direct air link between Vietnam and Northern Europe and marking a significant step in the carrier’s long-term European expansion strategy.
The launch underscores the airline’s ambition to strengthen intercontinental connectivity between Southeast Asia and Scandinavia at a time of rising demand for tourism, business travel, and diaspora links.
The inaugural flight, VN39, departed Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 22:45 on 15 December aboard a Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner.
After more than 12 hours in the air, the aircraft touched down at Copenhagen Airport with over 200 passengers on board, marking Vietnam Airlines’ first arrival in the Danish capital.
The return service, VN38, departed Copenhagen at 10:50 local time the following morning, carrying more than 300 passengers back to Vietnam.
The new route will operate three times weekly, with departures from Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, and return flights from Copenhagen on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.
The schedule is designed to support both leisure and business travellers while offering convenient onward connectivity across Scandinavia.
Strengthening Vietnam–Scandinavia Connectivity with Copenhagen Flights
Vietnam Airlines’ entry into Copenhagen represents a strategic push into a region that has historically lacked direct air links to Vietnam.
The airline estimates that approximately 70,000 Vietnamese nationals live across Northern Europe, forming a sizeable VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market that has long relied on one‑stop itineraries via major European hubs.
By eliminating the need for transit stops, the new service reduces total travel time between Vietnam and Denmark by several hours.
It also positions Vietnam Airlines as one of the few Southeast Asian carriers offering direct access to Northern Europe, complementing its existing European network spanning Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, London, Milan, and Moscow.
Dang Anh Tuan, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines, emphasized the strategic importance of the new route, stating:
“Copenhagen represents a strategic market in Vietnam Airlines’ European network growth.”
“Our nonstop service dramatically reduces travel time between Vietnam and Denmark, enhances our competitive edge, and creates new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange across Northern Europe.”
“This direct connection will deliver clear benefits to passengers, enterprises, and the Vietnamese community in the region.”
Copenhagen: A Gateway to Scandinavia
Copenhagen Airport is one of Northern Europe’s most efficient and well‑connected hubs, offering seamless onward links to Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
For Vietnam Airlines, this makes the Danish capital an ideal entry point into the broader Scandinavian market — a region with strong outbound travel demand, particularly during the winter months when travellers seek warmer destinations.
Vietnam has become increasingly popular among Northern European tourists thanks to its tropical climate, diverse landscapes, and expanding tourism infrastructure.
Direct flights are expected to stimulate further growth, especially during peak winter travel periods when demand for long‑haul leisure travel is highest.
The new service also aligns with Vietnam Airlines’ broader strategy to diversify its European footprint beyond traditional Western European gateways.
As competition intensifies among Asian carriers for long‑haul market share, establishing a presence in underserved regions such as Scandinavia offers a clear competitive advantage.
Fleet and Passenger Experience
The route is operated by the Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner, the backbone of Vietnam Airlines’ long‑haul fleet.
The aircraft features a two‑class configuration with lie‑flat business‑class seats, modern in‑flight entertainment, and enhanced cabin comfort designed to support long‑haul operations.
Deploying the 787‑9 allows the airline to balance capacity with efficiency, particularly during the early stages of route development.
With more than 200 passengers on the inaugural outbound flight and over 300 on the return, early demand indicators appear strong.
A Milestone in Vietnam Airlines’ 30-Year Journey
The launch of the Ho Chi Minh City–Copenhagen service coincides with Vietnam Airlines’ 30th anniversary, adding symbolic weight to the milestone.
Over three decades, the carrier has evolved from a regional operator into a globally recognized airline with an expanding intercontinental network.
The new route reinforces the airline’s commitment to showcasing Vietnam’s culture, hospitality, and economic dynamism on the world stage.
It also supports Vietnam’s broader tourism and trade ambitions, particularly as the country continues to position itself as a key gateway to Southeast Asia.
Vietnam Airlines has outlined an ambitious European expansion plan for the 2025–2030 period, with Copenhagen representing one of several new destinations under evaluation.
The airline is expected to continue exploring opportunities in both established and emerging markets as it strengthens its long‑haul capabilities.
Boosting Trade, Tourism, and Cultural Exchange
Beyond tourism, the direct connection is expected to support growing trade flows between Vietnam and Denmark.
Bilateral cooperation has expanded in recent years, particularly in renewable energy, maritime services, and sustainable development — sectors in which Denmark is a global leader.
The new route also enhances mobility for students, professionals, and families across both regions, supporting cultural exchange and strengthening people‑to‑people ties.
For Vietnam Airlines, the Copenhagen launch is more than a network expansion — it is a strategic investment in long‑term connectivity between Southeast Asia and Northern Europe.
As the airline continues to rebuild and grow its international network, the new service positions it to capture rising demand and compete more effectively in the global long‑haul market.
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