
The “Destination Italy” event was recently held on April 29 in Hanoi to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy (1973–2025) and the 12th anniversary of their strategic partnership (2013–2025). The event provided an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Italy and promote tourism between the two countries.
At the event, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines – Mr Dinh Van Tuan shared: “Vietnam Airlines is proud to serve as an air bridge between these two wonderful countries. The direct Hanoi – Milan route, expected to launch this July, will shorten the geographical distance and make it easier for travelers to explore the beauty of both Italy and Vietnam.”
Mr. Dinh Van Tuan spoke at the Destination Italy event on April 29th. Photo: VNA
One week later, at Salone Dei Tessuti Exhibition Center in Milan, Italy, Vietnam Airlines officially announced the launch of its direct flight route connecting Hanoi and Milan. With this milestone, Vietnam Airlines becomes the first Vietnamese carrier to operate a direct route from Hanoi to Milan, one of Europe’s leading fashion and economic hubs.
Ms. Alessandra Priante, President of the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT), stated: “We welcome the establishment of the direct flight route between Hanoi and Milan – a strong driver for bilateral tourism cooperation. Italy and Vietnam both boast rich cultures and unique tourism values. With the support of airlines, businesses, and promotion agencies from both sides, we believe in a future of deep, effective, and sustainable collaboration in the tourism sector.”
Italian tourists are renowned for their refined aesthetic sense, deep knowledge of culture, art, and history, as well as their passion for exploring original values and the subtlety in experiences.
Vietnam takes pride in its diverse tourism ecosystem, a rich heritage recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), magnificent nature, distinctive cuisine, and a culture deeply rooted in its identity, fully meeting these refined demands.
Vietnam and Italy share the common trait of possessing a wealth of heritage. Photo: VOV
Data from 2024 shows that 89,000 Italian tourists visited Vietnam, a 56% increase compared to 2023. In the first three months of 2025, the number of Italian tourists reached 32,000, a 29% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to the plan, the Hanoi - Milan route will be launched on July 1, 2025, operated by the wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a frequency of three round-trip flights per week and a total flight time of approximately 12 hours each way.
The launch of this new route will bring Vietnam Airlines’ total number of direct routes to Europe to nine, further expanding its international network and offering passengers more convenient options for exploring Europe.
Model Boeing 787 Dreamliner is used for the Hanoi - Milan route. Photo: Vietnam Airlines
Previously, travelers from both countries often had to transit through major hubs such as Paris, Frankfurt, or Doha, which significantly extended their journey times. Now, with the direct Hanoi–Milan flight, Vietnamese tourists can explore historic cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, as well as some of the world’s greatest artistic wonders.
Conversely, Italian travelers will also have the opportunity to experience Vietnam’s iconic destinations such as Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, thanks to a faster and more convenient direct flight than ever before.
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Vietnam Airlines is offering a special promotion for passengers departing from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to European countries, with round-trip fares starting at just 23,699,000 VND (including taxes and fees). This promotion is a gesture of gratitude to customers who have consistently supported and trusted Vietnam Airlines over the past 30 years.
Specifically, passengers can purchase discounted tickets for flights to Paris and London with ticket issuance dates from now until June 30, 2025. The travel period applies until December 31, 2025, for flights to France and until July 15, 2025, for flights to the UK.
Additionally, the promotion is also available for flights from Vietnam to Frankfurt, Munich, and Milan. Passengers can purchase tickets until May 31, 2025. The travel period applies until September 30, 2025, for flights to Frankfurt and Munich, and from July 1 to December 31, 2025, for flights to Milan.
In May, Vietnam Airlines will also participate in the IMEX Frankfurt 2025 exhibition – one of the largest trade, conference, and tourism events in the world. At this event, Vietnam Airlines will not only showcase its services but also actively promote Vietnam’s image to a global audience, contributing to the growth of tourism and expanding international business opportunities.
The launch of the direct Hanoi - Milan route contributes to strengthening the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Italy. Photo: VOV
In addition to fare discounts, Vietnam Airlines is offering various additional benefits for passengers. Specifically, passengers will enjoy up to 30% off the seat selection fee on flights to the UK, France, Germany, and Italy when purchasing tickets from now until May 31, 2025, applicable for flights departing until December 31, 2025.
For Lotusmiles members, Vietnam Airlines offers additional attractive benefits, including an extra 1,000 miles when purchasing economy class tickets (not applicable for super-saver economy class) and a 30% discount on reward miles when redeeming tickets for flights during off-peak periods.
With the goal of continuously improving service quality and creating sustainable value for customers, Vietnam Airlines has always been at the forefront of connecting major cultural and economic hubs around the world with Vietnam. This contributes to promoting international cooperation and strengthening diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy, as well as between Vietnam and the world.
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