Published on
November 5, 2025
Denmark is now part of the story. For travellers from Vietnam or anyone looking to connect via Southeast Asia or Northern Europe, the new direct link between Ho Chi Minh City and Copenhagen means a more human‑friendly journey, less layovers and more time to explore. The national carrier Vietnam Airlines is also launching a direct flight from Hanoi to Milan and a route between Hanoi and Jakarta, while simultaneously planning major expansions into India, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the UAE by 2025.
At its press room in Hanoi on 18 September 2024, Vietnam Airlines announced that it would commence nonstop service between Hanoi and Milan from 1 July 2025, using Boeing 787 Dreamliners. According to a June 2025 article, the carrier will expand its network by launching or restoring 15 international routes in key markets such as Italy, Russia, China, UAE, Japan, South Korea and India. Similarly, the route to Copenhagen marks Vietnam’s first non‑stop link with Denmark and is scheduled for start on 15 December 2025.
Why this matters
This leap in connectivity reflects more than just airline growth. It underscores Vietnam’s ambition to enhance its place in global travel and commerce. From the nights working in Ho Chi Minh City boardrooms to tourists strolling Milan’s Duomo plaza or Copenhagen’s canals, the new links shorten distances, open doors and build new friendships among people and nations.
The Milan route especially is historic: it marks the first time a Vietnamese carrier offers non‑stop flights to Italy. Vietnam Airlines’ statement from September 2024 explains the three weekly flights (Tues, Fri, Sat) departing Hanoi for Milan’s Malpensa airport. Meanwhile, the Copenhagen service will link HCM City and Copenhagen thrice weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from Vietnam; return flights Tues, Thurs, Sat) using the modern 787‑9 aircraft.
Jakarta connection and beyond
In addition to Europe, Vietnam Airlines is turning its attention to Indonesia. On 22 November 2025, the carrier officially launches direct flights between Hanoi and Jakarta — marking another step in its ASEAN‑market push. The route will operate daily overnight, tailored for business travellers and tourists alike, and strengthens the airline’s competitive profile in the region.
Big market goals: India, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, UAE
Alongside these very tangible new links, the airline has outlined its broader ambition to engage key markets across Asia and Europe. According to the June 2025 coverage, the list of top targets includes India, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the UAE, among others. These markets are viewed as high‑potential due to rising travel demand, economic links and Vietnamese diaspora presence.
Impact on passengers and economies
For the everyday traveller from Vietnam planning a week in Milan or a business trip to Copenhagen, these direct routes eliminate the hassle of long layovers and offer more convenient schedules. For host countries like Denmark and Italy, the arrival of Vietnam Airlines expands tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. The Jakarta link further tightens Southeast Asian trade‑tourism corridors.
What to watch
- The actual launch dates and times for each route: the Milan link begins 1 July 2025, Copenhagen from 15 Dec 2025, Jakarta from 22 Nov 2025.
- Frequency and aircraft type — e.g., three flights weekly on key Europe routes using Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner.
- The other planned routes to India, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the UAE: specific cities, dates and frequencies are still being finalised.
- Connections onward from hubs like Milan and Copenhagen to broader Europe and Northern Europe (Sweden, Norway, Finland) via the SkyTeam‑linked network.
In closing, this is both exciting and personal. Whether you’re a Vietnamese student headed to Milan for a semester, a Danish family visiting Vietnam’s Mekong delta, or a business executive binding deals between Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta — the world just felt a little smaller, a little friendlier. Vietnam Airlines’ expansion is more than an airline update; it’s an invitation to connect, explore and grow together.
