Vietnam Airlines Resumes Hanoi to Moscow Flights in May 2025, Restoring Direct Air Link Between Vietnam and Russia

Vietnam Airlines was preparing to resume its Hanoi–Moscow Sheremetyevo route in the second quarter of 2025, marking the airline’s return to Russia after a three-year hiatus. This move was expected to restore an important air corridor between Vietnam and Russia, which had been disrupted since March 2022 due to geopolitical and operational challenges.

The airline had announced that the route would be operated twice weekly aboard a Boeing 787-9, beginning on May 8, 2025. While the schedule for the first two flights on May 8 and 9 was set to vary, the standard operational timetable was scheduled to take effect on May 12, 2025:

VN063 departing Hanoi at 10:45 AM, arriving in Moscow at 3:40 PM (operating on Tuesdays and Fridays).
VN062 departing Moscow at 5:40 PM, arriving in Hanoi at 6:05 AM the next day (also on Tuesdays and Fridays).

With this long-awaited relaunch, travelers and industry stakeholders were assessing how the restoration of this service would influence tourism, business travel, and broader air connectivity between Asia and Europe.

Restoring a Crucial Air Link

The resumption of this route was expected to benefit multiple travel sectors, including tourism, trade, and international business relations. Hanoi and Moscow had maintained strong bilateral ties, and the return of direct flights was likely to facilitate the movement of tourists, expatriates, and business travelers between Vietnam and Russia.

For Vietnamese travelers, Moscow had long been a popular destination, both for leisure and business purposes. Similarly, Russian tourists had historically contributed significantly to Vietnam’s tourism industry, particularly in coastal destinations such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang.

By reinstating this nonstop service, Vietnam Airlines was aiming to:

Rebuild tourism exchanges between the two nations.
Support Vietnamese expatriates and students in Russia who previously relied on indirect routes.
Enhance trade and economic collaboration between Vietnam and Russia.

While the return of the route was largely seen as a positive step, it also raised questions about geopolitical complexities, aviation market shifts, and demand recovery in the post-pandemic landscape.

Global Impact and Travel Industry Shifts

Beyond Vietnam and Russia, the resumption of Hanoi–Moscow flights could have broader implications for international air travel. Since 2022, many carriers had either suspended or rerouted flights involving Russia, reshaping global aviation corridors.

Vietnam Airlines’ decision to restore this route suggested a calculated move to re-establish its footprint in long-haul travel between Asia and Eastern Europe. This move could impact:

Competing airlines: With limited direct flight options to Russia, other Asian and Middle Eastern carriers might adjust their strategies in response.
Passenger traffic flow: The availability of a direct Vietnam–Russia route could shift transit patterns, reducing reliance on connecting flights via Dubai, Istanbul, or Doha.
Tourism dynamics: As Russian travelers regain direct access to Vietnam, the industry could experience a revival in Russian inbound tourism, benefiting Vietnam’s hospitality sector.

What This Means for International Travelers

For travelers planning flights between Hanoi and Moscow, this service relaunch provided a long-missed direct option that would save both time and hassle compared to connecting flights through third countries.

However, some uncertainties remained regarding airspace permissions, visa policies, and fluctuating demand. Despite these challenges, the return of this direct link was expected to streamline travel planning for:

Russian tourists looking to visit Vietnam’s beach destinations.
Vietnamese citizens traveling to Moscow for education, work, or business.
Corporate travelers seeking to rebuild commercial ties between the two countries.

The availability of the Boeing 787-9 on this route also indicated a focus on passenger comfort, with enhanced onboard features for long-haul travel.

Looking Ahead: A Test for Long-Haul Recovery

As Vietnam Airlines re-entered the Russian market, its Hanoi–Moscow service would serve as a test case for long-haul recovery in post-pandemic aviation. With global airlines recalibrating their networks, the airline’s performance on this route would provide key insights into demand patterns, geopolitical constraints, and future market expansion strategies.

For now, travelers and industry stakeholders would be closely watching how the airline navigates operational challenges, adapts to market responses, and capitalizes on the restored demand for direct connectivity between Vietnam and Russia.

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