Vietnam Airlines launches first direct air link between Vietnam and Italy
National-flag carrier Vietnam Airlines officially launched its first direct flight connecting Hanoi and Milan on Tuesday, establishing direct air link between Vietnam and Italy for the first time.
The move marks a historic milestone in the airline’s international expansion strategy, and bringing the total number of its direct routes to Europe to nine.

Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan cuts the cake to inaugurate the first direct flight connecting Hanoi with Milan (Italy). Photo courtesy of VNA.
The inaugural ceremony at Milan Malpensa Airport was held with the attendance of Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, representatives from the Lombardy regional government, and airport executives.
This new service not only highlights Vietnam Airlines’ strategic push to expand its global network but also establishes a direct air link between Vietnam and Italy for the first time, reinforcing its role as a vital bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe.
Flight VN72 departed from Milan at 12:45 p.m. local time on July 1 and arrived at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 4:35 a.m. on July 2.
In the opposite direction, Flight VN73 had left Hanoi at 12:45 a.m. on July 1, carrying 155 passengers and landing in Milan at 7:40 a.m. local time.
To mark the occasion, the airline presented commemorative gifts and flowers to crew and passengers aboard the inaugural flight.
The Hanoi-Milan route will operate three round-trip flights per week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, using wide-body Boeing 787 aircraft. Each leg of the journey takes approximately 12 hours.
As Italy’s second-largest economic hub and a key gateway to southwestern Europe, Milan is expected to play a strategic role within Vietnam Airlines’ European network, offering passengers seamless access to multiple destinations across the continent.
This new route not only facilitates two-way travel between Vietnam and Italy but also strengthens Vietnam Airlines’ market share on the broader Europe-Vietnam corridor.
In 2023, Vietnam welcomed nearly 57,000 Italian visitors, equivalent to over 80% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels, signalling a strong post-Covid rebound. The elimination of stopovers via third countries is expected to enhance the overall travel experience and significantly boost inbound Italian tourism to Vietnam in the coming years.
Speaking to the press, Dang Ngoc Hoa, chairman of the board of directors of Vietnam Airlines, emphasized that the direct Hanoi-Milan route not only shortens physical distance but also opens new doors for tourism and economic exchange between the two countries, highlighting Italy as a promising European market.
This new service allows travellers from Vietnam to explore the ‘land of great heritage’ with ease, including culturally rich cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, Hoa noted.
Likewise, Italian travellers now have easier access to Vietnam’s iconic destinations like Hanoi, Ha Long, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, making it simpler than ever to experience our country’s unique beauty and hospitality, he said.
Hoa also said the route symbolizes Vietnam Airlines’ commitment to closer global connections.
He revealed that Vietnam Airlines plans to operate or restore 15 international routes, with Hanoi-Milan as a strategic highlight. As the first direct link between the two countries, it significantly cuts travel time and boosts tourism, trade, and cultural cooperation.
With rising travel demand between Vietnam and Italy, Hoa called the route “an essential link” supporting Vietnam Airlines’ push into the European market and helping the tourism goal of attracting 22–24 million international visitors by 2025.
- Read More
What makes NobleGo - Vietnam’s first home-bidding livestream platform - so notable?
NobleGo – Vietnam’s pioneering AI-powered livestream real estate bidding platform developed by Sunshine Group – has completed its first 20 livestream sessions.
Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 4:53 pm GMT+7
Japanese retailer Aeon to debut another northern Vietnam shopping mall by end-2026
Japanese-backed Aeonmall Vietnam is ramping up construction on its Aeon Mall Ha Long project in Quang Ninh province, home to Ha Long Bay, with an aim to open it to the public by end-2026.
Industries - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7
Hanoi terminates Vinaxuki auto plant project, repurposes land for commercial complex
A long-stalled automotive manufacturing project by Xuan Kien Auto JSC (Vinaxuki) has been officially terminated by Hanoi authorities, and the reclaimed land in Phuc Thinh commune will be repurposed for a new commercial and service complex.
Industries - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 2:44 pm GMT+7
Central Vietnam province reviews investment proposal for thermal power project after Thai EGATi pullout
Authorities in the central province of Quang Tri are evaluating a proposal from Power Generation JSC 1 (EVNGENCO 1), a subsidiary of state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), to take over the Quang Tri thermal power plant project, following the withdrawal of Thai investor EGATi.
Energy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 1:44 pm GMT+7
Amata to sell stakes worth $46 mln in Vietnam units to Novaland-tied buyers
Amata VN, the Vietnam arm of Thailand’s leading industrial park developer Amata, has approved a plan for its subsidiary Amata City Long Thanh Urban JSC (ACLT) to sell its remaining 51% stakes in two entities to local developer Novaland-linked buyers.
Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 12:19 pm GMT+7
Vietnam already meets FTSE's criteria for stock market status upgrade: Finance Minister
Vietnam has fulfilled the criteria for a stock market status upgrade by FTSE Russell through reforms aimed at facilitating foreign investment inflows into its market, said Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang.
Economy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:36 am GMT+7
Banks should be allowed to distribute, invest in mutual fund certificates: Vietnam's finance ministry
The Ministry of Finance is proposing a key reform that would allow commercial banks to invest in and distribute mutual fund certificates, as part of a broader plan to restructure the investor base and foster the development of Vietnam’s fund management industry.
Finance - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
E-commerce boom a major driver of Vietnam's packaging paper industry growth
Vietnam's paper packaging industry is entering a period of strong growth, with an average annual growth rate forecasted at 10% until 2030.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7
Vietnam needs support from UK in developing international financial center: Deputy PM
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has called on the UK and the City of London to continue supporting and accompanying Vietnam in promoting and introducing its international financial center (IFC).
Finance - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7
Vietnam enforces 8% capital adequacy ratio for banks from Sept 15
Commercial banks and foreign bank branches in Vietnam must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 8%, including at least 4.5% in Tier 1 core capital and 6% in Tier 1 capital, starting from September 15.
Banking - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:04 pm GMT+7
Tool for wood traceability management debuts in Vietnam
The Vn-WoodID application has been officially launched in Vietnam, becoming a key tool contributing to wood traceability.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:00 pm GMT+7
Sun Group, US Embassy foster aviation-hospitality cooperation
Sun Group, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Vietnam, hosted the US – Vietnam Aviation Partnership Roundtable on September 12, bringing together 15 leading American corporations in aviation, technology, and financial services, opening up opportunities to position Phu Quoc as a new aviation and tourism hub in the region.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 9:54 pm GMT+7
Vietnam tops Thai giant SCG’s overseas markets with 9% revenue contribution in H1
Vietnam remained the largest overseas market for Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) in the first half of 2025, contributing 9% of consolidated sales.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 8:10 pm GMT+7
Central Vietnam to have new airport Mang Den
Procedures to adjust Vietnam's airport system planning, including the addition of Mang Den Airport in central Vietnam, are being proceeded, according to the Ministry of Construction.
Infrastructure - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 5:16 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's government seeks to position country as 'regulated hub for digital assets in Asia': Dragon Capital
The Vietnamese Government has advanced the regulation of digital assets, with a resolution launching a five-year pilot framework for issuance and trading. This framework signals the Government’s intent to position the country as a regulated hub for digital assets in Asia, which could attract new capital inflows, write Dragon Capital analysts.
Economy - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 2:20 pm GMT+7
Agribank introduces sizable $4.17 bln preferential credit package
Right from the beginning of 2025, Agribank launched a substantial preferential credit package worth VND110 trillion ($4.17 billion) to support individual customers.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 1:32 pm GMT+7
- Opinion
-
2025 likely a Big Year for Vietnam equity market performance: PYN Elite exec
-
Vietnam-US tariff agreement: A strategic turning point toward deeper integration
-
52,800 Vietnam businesses temporarily suspend operations in Jan: What do the numbers mean?
-
Startup nation, startup Vietnam
-
New mindset key to resolving institutional bottlenecks, promote growth: economist
-
Vietnam embraces new wave of investments: HSBC exec