The State Visit to the Republic of India by H.E. To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, together with a high-level Vietnamese delegation from May 5–7, 2026, took place at a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Vietnam–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
As the two countries commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2016–2026), the visit reflected the shared determination of both nations’ leaders to deepen cooperation across key sectors and advance bilateral relations into a new phase of development.
Within this broader framework, aviation has emerged as a critical enabler of trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. By facilitating greater connectivity, the aviation sector plays an increasingly important role in translating strategic priorities into tangible economic and social outcomes. As Vietnam’s national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines remains committed to strengthening links between Vietnam and India through network expansion, strategic partnerships, and the delivery of world-class services.
Aviation as a Strategic Enabler of Bilateral Growth
Vietnam and India enjoy a longstanding friendship built upon deep political trust, rich cultural ties, and shared historical values. Against a backdrop of evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics, the continued strengthening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership contributes not only to the prosperity of both countries but also to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.
In recent years, bilateral cooperation has accelerated significantly. Vietnam has consolidated its position as a leading manufacturing, trade, and investment destination in Southeast Asia, while India continues to be one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and a global hub for technology, innovation, and services.
As economic engagement expands, demand for connectivity between major commercial, financial, technology, and tourism centers in both countries has grown correspondingly. In this context, aviation is no longer simply a mode of transportation – it is strategic infrastructure that facilitates economic integration, strengthens supply chains, supports business mobility, and fosters closer people-to-people connections.
Recognizing the long-term potential of the market, Vietnam Airlines launched its first nonstop services between Vietnam and India in 2019. Since then, the Vietnam–India aviation market has experienced remarkable growth, expanding nearly sixfold to exceed 1.8 million passengers in 2025, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 40 percent. Today, it ranks among the most dynamic and fastest-growing aviation markets in Asia.
Throughout this growth journey, Vietnam Airlines has maintained a leading position in the Vietnam–India corridor. The airline currently operates six nonstop routes with 21 weekly flights connecting Vietnam with four major Indian cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
To meet rising demand and enhance customer experience, Vietnam Airlines has completed the deployment of next-generation wide-body aircraft on all services to and from New Delhi and Mumbai. This investment strengthens both passenger connectivity and cargo capacity, supporting the continued expansion of bilateral trade and commerce.
Beyond their economic contribution, Vietnam Airlines’ services also serve as cultural bridges between the two nations. Through authentic Vietnamese cuisine, the iconic Áo dài, Vietnamese hospitality, and service excellence, the airline brings Vietnam’s cultural identity closer to international travelers. At the same time, Vietnam Airlines continuously adapts its products and services to reflect the cultural traditions, religious practices, and travel preferences of Indian customers, creating a more seamless and personalized travel experience.
Expanding Partnerships for Sustainable Growth
Vietnam Airlines’ vision extends beyond route development. The airline is actively building a broader ecosystem of cooperation between Vietnam and India by fostering partnerships across aviation, finance, tourism, culture, and the creative industries.
At the Vietnam–India Business Forum in Mumbai on May 7, 2026, I noted that the strong foundation of trust built over decades provides a valuable platform for enterprises in both countries to develop deeper and more meaningful partnerships. It also presents an opportunity to translate shared ambitions into practical initiatives that reflect the full potential of the bilateral relationship.
During the forum, Vietnam Airlines signed several strategic agreements with leading Indian partners across finance, tourism, and aviation.
In the financial sector, cooperation with J.P. Morgan will enable Vietnam Airlines to leverage advanced financial and payment solutions while benefiting from international expertise in governance and corporate management. The partnership is expected to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen access to global resources that support the airline’s long-term growth objectives.
In tourism and destination promotion, the collaboration between Vietnam Airlines, Innovations India, and Saigontourist Group through the Bollywood film project SILAA and the Namaste Vietnam 2026 initiative is expected to significantly raise awareness of Vietnam’s destinations, culture, and tourism offerings among Indian audiences through the influence of popular culture and entertainment.
A key milestone currently under discussion is a prospective codeshare partnership between Vietnam Airlines and Air India. Once finalized, the agreement will provide passengers with seamless access to the extensive domestic networks of both carriers, significantly enhancing connectivity and travel convenience while further strengthening the Vietnam–India aviation corridor.
Looking Toward 2030
India remains one of Vietnam Airlines’ most strategically important international markets. Looking ahead to 2030, the airline plans to further expand its network, optimize operations, and continue elevating service standards to meet growing demand between the two countries.
To support the sustainable development of the market, Vietnam Airlines has also proposed the expansion of bilateral traffic rights between Vietnam and India, including increasing the number of permitted weekly flights to major Indian cities from 42 to 84 and progressively liberalizing third and fourth freedom traffic rights from 2028 onward. Such measures would encourage greater investment, facilitate new route development, and strengthen economic connectivity between the two nations.
As the Vietnam–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership enters a new chapter, Vietnam Airlines views its role as extending beyond transportation. The airline serves as a strategic connector—linking economies, businesses, cultures, and people while supporting deeper cooperation across multiple sectors.
As Vietnam’s national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines will continue to strengthen connectivity, advance international integration, foster cross-sector collaboration, and contribute to the development of a modern and dynamic economic corridor between Vietnam and India for years to come.
| About Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines is one of Southeast Asia’s leading airlines, operating a network of 118 routes connecting 22 domestic destinations and 39 international destinations across 22 countries and territories. The national flag carrier of Vietnam strengthened its global standing by becoming the first Southeast Asian airline to join the SkyTeam Alliance in 2010. Today, Vietnam Airlines operates one of Asia’s most modern and fuel-efficient fleets, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, Airbus A321, and Airbus A320neo. With one of Asia’s most modern fleets and an unwavering commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, Vietnam Airlines has established itself as a leading carrier in the region, earning numerous prestigious international awards and accolades, including Top 25 Best Full-Service Airlines in the World (2026); World’s Best Value Business Class Product (2026); World’s Best Value Premium Economy Product (2026); Top 25 Safest Airlines in the World (2025); Top 20 Airlines in the World (2025); Best Value Premium Economy (2025); Five-Star International Airline (2023 and 2024) by APEX; Top 20 Airlines in the World (2023) by AirlineRatings; Multiple consecutive years of Four-Star Airline certification from Skytrax. The airline has also received numerous honors from the World Travel Awards, including World’s Leading Airline for Cultural Identity; Asia’s Leading Airline for Economy Class and Premium Economy Class; Asia’s Leading Airline Brand; Asia’s Leading Airline Cabin Crew; Asia’s Leading Inflight Magazine. |
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