Vietnamese private airline VietJet has opened sale of its much delayed non-stop flights between Ho Chi Minh City (IATA: SGN) & New Delhi (IATA: DEL). And while doing so has also launched flights between Hanoi (IATA: HAN) and New Delhi, giving daily options to Vietnam from New Delhi – which is the largest market between India and Vietnam.
The flights would be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft and would ply four times a week between Ho Chi Minh City and New Delhi while thrice a week between Hanoi and New Delhi. The flights from Ho Chi Minh City will be effective 6th December while those from Hanoi will be effective from 7th December 2019.
The airline has been announcing this route at different forums for the last two years and the latest announcement was done at the Vietnam – India business forum on 2nd March 2018 in the presence of President of Vietnam, H.E. Tran Dai Quang.
The airline took so long to announce the route that India’s largest carrier IndiGo announced flights to Vietnam starting 3rd October, which will connect Kolkata to Hanoi. Vietjet will now be a formidable competition to IndiGo – which would have hoped to attract one-stop traffic to Hanoi from New Delhi.
Flight timings
VJ895 SGN1900 – 2250DEL
VJ896 DEL2350 – 0610(+1)SGN
The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
VJ971 HAN1910 – 2250DEL
VJ972 DEL2350 – 0520 (+1)HAN
The flight will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
On certain days, one way fare as low as USD 58 is available on the route! VietJet has a fleet of 50+ aircraft and wet-leases those to other airlines during Vietnamese lean season. With over 150 planes on order from Airbus and Boeing, Vietjet harbors ambition of reaching new shores.
With a population of 85+ lakhs, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the largest city in Vietnam and is the trade and financial capital. The modern city is served by 50+ passenger airlines and ten cargo airlines. Hanoi is the capital city and the seat og government. With this connection, the airport will be connected to Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam and will continue to see Philippines as a large unconnected market from the ASEAN. India & Vietnam have seen increased levels of co-operation at various levels which has included a defense line of credit and hence helps the traffic between the two countries – which is beyond tourist traffic.
In December 2016, VietJet Air and Air India had signed an MoU for co-operation on supply of aviation services connecting the two countries. In the past Jet Airways had tried one stop flights to Vietnam (via Bangkok) but was quick to pull out the services and since then has been code sharing with Vietnamese national carrier Vietnam Airlines.
Jet Airways had operated this route one stop via Bangkok starting November 2014 but was quick to pull out. Wishing Vietjet the very best for their new route. I flew between Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi on Vietjet last year. The trip report can be found here: VietJet to Hanoi
NetworkThoughts 
Fantastic news break and fantastic news ! I always wondered why Indigo is starting flights from kolkata when the traffic is more from Delhi. Finally somebody has seen potential from delhi
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I was not aware that vietjet has been trying to start flights for last few years. I had only read once that flights are starting but they never started, it was hoax.
Very happy to see new connection
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