Flights to Vietnam from the UK & Europe: Routes & Times (2026)
Last updated: July 23, 2026
Booking flights to Vietnam from the UK and Europe got a lot simpler for 2026 — Vietnam Airlines now flies nonstop from London to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and every other major European city connects in a single stop through a Gulf or Asian hub. Here is how the routes, timings and fares actually stack up.
Quick answer: From London, Vietnam Airlines flies nonstop to Hanoi (about 12 hours, 3x weekly from 29 March 2026) and to Ho Chi Minh City (about 12h30, 2x weekly), both from London Heathrow Terminal 4 on the Boeing 787-9, with return fares from around £799 and £787. It is the only airline flying direct between the UK and Vietnam. Travellers from elsewhere in Europe connect once, typically via Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Singapore, for a total journey of roughly 16–20 hours.
- Nonstop route: London Heathrow (T4) → Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Airlines
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- From Europe (non-UK): one stop, usually via a Gulf or Asian hub
- Typical return fare: from around £787–£799 (London)
- Best time to book: 3–4 months ahead, earlier over Tet (late Jan/Feb)
In this guide: UK nonstop · From Europe · Compare gateways · Booking tips · FAQs
How do you fly from the UK to Vietnam?
Vietnam Airlines is the only carrier flying nonstop between the UK and Vietnam, and from 29 March 2026 it runs two nonstop routes out of London Heathrow Terminal 4, both on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner:
- London (LHR) → Hanoi (HAN): about 12 hours, three times a week, with frequency stepping up again from the Winter 2026 schedule (25 October).
- London (LHR) → Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): about 12h30, twice a week.
Return fares start from around £799 to Hanoi and £787 to Ho Chi Minh City, though prices move with season and demand. Flights leave London in the evening, so most travellers sleep through the journey and land in Vietnam ready to start the day. If you’re mapping out what to do once you land, our Vietnam tours from the UK guide covers itineraries built around this exact route.
Flying to Vietnam from Europe (outside the UK)
There is no nonstop flight yet from mainland Europe to Vietnam, so travellers from Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dublin and other EU cities connect once. The two main options are a Gulf hub or an Asian hub:
- Qatar Airways via Doha — nonstop Doha–Hanoi and Doha–Ho Chi Minh City legs.
- Emirates via Dubai — daily to Ho Chi Minh City, around four times a week to Hanoi, three times a week to Da Nang.
- Etihad via Abu Dhabi — a new Abu Dhabi–Hanoi route launched in late 2025, running about six times a week on the Boeing 787.
- Asian carriers such as Singapore Airlines via Singapore Changi are a solid alternative if a Gulf connection doesn’t line up with your dates.
Total journey time from most EU cities runs roughly 16–20 hours door to door, depending on the layover. Whichever gateway you fly through, check your entry paperwork: UK and most Western European nationals can stay up to 45 days visa-free, while other passports — and stays over 45 days — need a Vietnam e-visa. Our Vietnam visa for UK & EU citizens guide walks through the application.
UK & EU gateways compared
| Gateway | Nonstop? | Typical time | Via |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) | Yes — Hanoi & HCMC | ~12h / ~12h30 | Vietnam Airlines, direct |
| Paris (CDG) | No | ~16–19h | Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Singapore |
| Frankfurt (FRA) | No | ~15–18h | Doha, Abu Dhabi or Singapore |
| Amsterdam (AMS) | No | ~16–19h | Doha, Abu Dhabi or Dubai |
| Dublin (DUB) | No | ~17–20h | Via London (VNA connection) or a Gulf hub |
| Other EU cities | No | ~17–22h | Gulf hub or an Asian hub |
Not sure which of these fits your dates and budget? Send us your travel window and we’ll check live fares and connections for you, free of charge.
Open-jaw tickets and when to book
Most first-time itineraries run north to south (or the reverse), so an open-jaw ticket — flying into Hanoi and home from Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa — saves you backtracking the length of the country. We tell you exactly which airports to book before you buy.
For fares, aim to book three to four months ahead. The Lunar New Year period (Tet, late January to February) and the European summer holidays push prices up and seats scarce, so book earlier for those windows. Shoulder months such as March–April and October–November tend to combine good weather with calmer fares — see our best time to visit Vietnam guide for the full month-by-month picture.
Flights to Vietnam from the UK and Europe: know before you go
- Time difference: Vietnam is roughly 6–7 hours ahead of the UK (more from mainland Europe with daylight saving) — build in one easy day on arrival.
- Layovers: most Gulf and Asian hub stopovers under 24 hours don’t need a separate transit visa if you stay airside.
- Baggage: checked-bag allowance varies by carrier and fare class — check before you add extras.
- Visa: UK and most Western European passports get up to 45 days visa-free; others (and longer stays) apply for the e-visa online before flying.
Kevin’s pick: if your dates line up with the London–Hanoi nonstop, take it. Even at a similar fare to a one-stop routing, twelve hours beats swapping planes in a transit hall at 3am — you land fresher and get straight into the trip.
Flights to Vietnam from the UK and Europe: FAQs
Is there a direct flight from the UK to Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam Airlines flies nonstop from London Heathrow to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, on the Boeing 787-9. It is the only airline flying direct between the two countries.
How long is the flight from London to Vietnam?
Around 12 hours nonstop to Hanoi and about 12h30 nonstop to Ho Chi Minh City, both from London Heathrow Terminal 4.
Can I fly direct from Europe (not the UK) to Vietnam?
Not yet. From Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other EU cities you connect once, usually via Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Singapore, for a total journey of around 16–20 hours.
Do I need a visa to fly to Vietnam from the UK or Europe?
It depends on your passport. UK and most Western European citizens can stay up to 45 days visa-free. If you’re not on the exemption list — or staying longer than 45 days — apply for the Vietnam e-visa online (US$25 single / US$50 multiple entry, up to 90 days, 3–5 working days).
When should I book flights to Vietnam from the UK or Europe?
Three to four months ahead is a good rule of thumb, and earlier still if you’re travelling over Tet (late January–February) or the European summer break.
Why I always start clients with the London route
Nine times out of ten, the first question a UK or European traveller asks me isn’t about temples or beaches — it’s simply “how do I actually get there?” So we sort the flight first, because once that’s settled the rest of the trip falls into place around it. I’ll be straight with you: the London nonstop isn’t always the cheapest line on the screen, but twelve hours in one hop, landing in daylight, is worth a great deal at the start of a two-week holiday. That said, if you’re setting off from Paris or Frankfurt, a Gulf routing can open up better fares and kinder timings — there’s no single right answer, only the one that fits your dates and your budget. Tell me where you’re flying from and roughly when you’d like to travel, and I’ll do the digging on connections and fares so you don’t have to.
— Kevin, your travel consultant at My Viva Tour
See Vietnam with My Viva Tour
Once your flights are sorted, let us build the trip around them. Tell us your dates, how many days you have and what you love — food, history, beaches, trekking — and we’ll send a free, no-obligation private itinerary within 24 hours. Popular starting points include the Best Vietnam Tours 10 Days and Viva Vietnam 12 Days itineraries, or browse the full range of Vietnam private tours. Get your free quote.
Travel notes fact-checked: July 2026. Flight schedules and fares change often — we review this page every 6 months (next review due January 2027).
