HÀ NỘI — National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has launched a new direct flight route connecting Hà Nội with Bengaluru - India’s leading tech hub, with four weekly round-trip flights.

Starting May 7, the airline will also connect Hà Nội to Hyderabad, another key Indian tech centre, with three weekly round-trips. Both routes use Airbus A321 aircraft.

The inaugural flight, VN983, took off from Hà Nội on May 1 with over 130 passengers and landed in Bengaluru the same day. The return leg, VN982, departed Bengaluru that night carrying more than 160 passengers, touching down in Hà Nội at 5:25am on May 2.

With these additions, Vietnam Airlines now serves four major Indian cities – New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad – through six direct routes. The expansion responds to rising demand for travel, fueled by growing trade, tourism, and cooperation between the two nations.

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with a population of over 1.4 billion and a growing middle class. By connecting to tech hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Vietnam Airlines reaffirms its role in bridging Việt Nam with South Asia, said its Deputy General Director Đặng Anh Tuấn.

Since entering the Indian market, Vietnam Airlines has operated over 3,200 flights and served over 511,700 passengers. In 2024 alone, Việt Nam welcomed over 500,000 Indian visitors, ranking India among its top 10 tourism markets. — VNS