So, for your 2026 vacation, you've decided to discover the Land of the Dragon? Congrats. But Vietnam is literally the other side of the world. How do you choose the right flight without making your banker furious or leaving your sanity at 30,000 feet?
Fasten your seatbelts; we're taking off for a complete rundown.
Vietnam Flight FAQ: Flash answers
- ♦ What is the direct flight time from Paris to Hanoi? Approximately 11h30 to 12h.
- ♦ Which airline offers a non-stop flight from Europe to Vietnam? Vietnam Airlines is currently the only one offering a direct flight from Paris CDG to Hanoi (HAN).
- ♦ Is there a direct flight from Paris to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)? No. No direct flight is available to SGN from Western Europe.
- ♦ What is an Open-Jaw ticket for Vietnam? It's a ticket that allows you to arrive in Hanoi (North) and depart from Ho Chi Minh City (South), or vice-versa, to avoid backtracking across the country.
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Decoding: Non-Stop, Direct, or Connecting Flights?
Before you pull out your credit card, let's decipher the airline jargon.
Non-Stop Flight: The ideal flight. You board at Paris CDG, you sleep (well, you try to), and you get off in Hanoi. Zero stops. It’s the "VIP" option for saving time and your body clock. The benefit is the travel time (around 11h30–12h from Paris) and its simplicity.
Direct Flight: The false friend. It keeps the same flight number but may include a technical stop (the famous "touch-down," often in Doha) for refueling or dropping off passengers. You often remain stuck in your seat during this time.
Connecting Flight (Stopover): You change planes (and potentially airlines). Longer, cheaper, riskier - but more flexible.
Vietnam Airlines, The air line with golden lotusThe airline lineup
The choice boils down to: simplicity versus adventure, comfort versus price.
The royal road: Simple, fast, expensive
The offering is very limited. Currently, only
Vietnam Airlines offers a direct flight from Paris CDG to Hanoi (HAN), about 5 to 6 times a week (subject to seasonality).
No direct flight is available to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) from Western Europe right now. This option is significantly more expensive than other types of flights.
- ✓ Vietnam Airlines (The Golden Lotus): This is the local star, Skytrax 4-star certified. The big plus? The immersion begins immediately with the welcome in Ao Dai and Vietnamese food on the meal tray. They fly with ultra-young fleets (Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350). And they are the kings of non-stop flights from Europe, Australia, and have the only direct flight from San Francisco.
- ✓ Air France (The "Blue White Red" Ally): Contrary to popular belief, Air France no longer flies direct to Vietnam (except very rare exceptions) since the post-Covid reconfiguration. The airline operates mainly via a code-share with Vietnam Airlines. Put simply: You book Air France, but you fly in a Vietnam Airlines plane. This allows you to access the unique direct flight while accumulating your Flying Blue Miles.
Service and comfort on flights operated by Vietnam Airlines or Air France
With Vietnam Airlines (Economy/Premium Eco), service is generally good and attentive, food is decent (Western and Vietnamese options), and seats are standard in economy. Their Premium Eco is often well-rated for comfort/price ratio.
In terms of comfort, Air France does a good job—their Premium Economy is among the best on the market, and even in economy, the seats are acceptable. However, be warned: on a 12-hour flight, the lack of legroom is noticeable compared to Qatar or Singapore Airlines. And the entertainment is fine, but nothing more.
Regarding incident management, in case of a snag (delay, cancellation, lost luggage), it is generally simpler to invoke the Air France (AF code) transport contract from Europe than to deal directly with Vietnam Airlines.
If you're willing to pay a little more for the convenience of French transit or the Flying Blue program, it’s worth it. Otherwise, Asian or Gulf airlines often offer more comfort or a better price.
Vietnam Airlines' Premium Eco is well-rated for comfort/price ratio
The middle ground: Cheaper, but with a stopover
If you accept a stopover (often longer, but more economical), the fares of Gulf airlines and Turkish Airlines are generally 10% to 20% cheaper.
- ♦ Gulf Airlines (Qatar, Emirates, Etihad): These are the kings of service and comfort. Their stopovers in Doha (DOH) or Dubai (DXB) are short and pleasant. They offer an excellent quality/price/service ratio and serve Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
- ♦ Major Asian Airlines (Singapore, Korean, JAL, EVA Air): If your priority is comfort and service, favor these airlines. Their hubs (Seoul ICN, Singapore SIN, Taipei TPE, Tokyo NRT/HND) are models of efficiency.
Qatar Airlines, one of the kings of service and comfortAsian Challengers
- Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance): Hub in Istanbul (IST). Very extensive network, often very competitive prices. Good service and food. Dessert HAN and SGN.
- Singapore Airlines (Star Alliance): Hub in Singapore (SIN). Excellent reputation (service, comfort). Pleasant stopover at SIN. Serves HAN and SGN.
- Thai Airways (Star Alliance): Hub in Bangkok (BKK). Traditional Thai service. BKK is a convenient stop for Vietnam (short flights to HAN/SGN). Dessert HAN, SGN, DAD, HPH, PQC.
- Cathay Pacific (Oneworld): Hub in Hong Kong (HKG). Very good service. HKG is an efficient stopover. Dessert HAN and SGN.
- China Airlines (SkyTeam): Hub in Taipei (TPE). Good value. Dessert HAN and SGN.
- ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Star Alliance): Hub in Tokyo (NRT/HND). Impeccable service, legendary punctuality. Serves HAN and SGN (often via NRT).
Did you try China Eastern lines ?The good bad deal: China Eastern (MU)
China Eastern is the Ryanair of Asian long-haul: 30% cheaper, 50% more hassle. Okay, their hub in Shanghai Pudong is efficient, but it's a transit nightmare. Their "hybrid cost-cutting" model leads to minimalist service (e.g., paid blankets), and as for seat ergonomics, it flirts with an abstract concept on some A330s. Not to mention the chronic delays linked to Chinese air traffic control.
But, a little light in this dark picture, their SkyTeam alliance allows you to accumulate Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) or Delta SkyMiles.
In short: Ideal for backpackers and budget-sensitive occasional travelers. If you believe in fate or luck, some of their long-haul fleet (especially the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350) is recent, with decent economy seats (slim seat but HD screen). Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to fly with...
Pro Tip: Check the aircraft type on Flightradar24 or ExpertFlyer and prioritize a B787/A350 (flee the old A330s). Of course, cancellation/delay insurance is IMPERATIVE: it covers long delays (6h+) and unexpected hotel costs at PVG.
Tight budget on the flight?
If you have opted for a 'cheaper' flight to save money, well done! Spend these savings on an unforgettable experience on the spot.
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Ready to discover the wonders of Vietnam | Mr Linh's AdventuresOpen-Jaw Flight: How to avoid doing the Vietnam yo-yo
Vietnam, a country of big length, is shaped like a giant "S". The beginner's mistake is booking a Paris-Hanoi return flight. You'll go down to visit the country to the South, and then have to go all the way back up North just to catch your plane. A waste of time and money!
The solution is called "Open-Jaw": you arrive in Hanoi (North) and depart from Ho Chi Minh City (South) - or the reverse. No more going back, no more wasted time. And often, it's no more expensive. Plus, you gain a day of vacation.
Flying better without breaking the bank
Don't have the budget for Business Class? Here's how to optimize price and comfort.
Reduce the price
• Invest in premium economy: If you can, it's the best compromise. Wider seats, more legroom, better service for a lower extra cost than Business.
• Travel mid-week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are often cheaper than weekends.
• Book early: Ideally, book 3 to 6 months in advance.
• Consider long stopovers: Flights with very long stopovers (8h and more) are often the cheapest. Take advantage of it to go out (check transit visa requirements!).
• Pay smart: Compare if paying in the local currency (e.g., VND or THB) avoids bank conversion fees.
Boost comfort
• Choose your seat: Book early! Use SeatGuru to avoid seats near toilets/galleys and favor the aisle side for easy movement.
• Aim for modern planes: Look for flights operated with an A350 or B787. The pressurization is better, and it’s quieter.
• Comfort survival kit: Eye mask, earplugs, neck pillow, compression socks (for circulation), and moisturizer.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water (avoid excessive alcohol and coffee). Bring your empty water bottle to fill up after security.
Lan Ha Bay, worth the flight... Mr Linh's AdventuresPreparing for landing: Hanoi or Saigon?
The choice of your entry point sets the tone for the trip.
♦ Hanoi (HAN - Noi Bai): The "Postcard" arrival. It's more traditional, more "eternal Asia". The airport is modern and 45 minutes from the old quarter; Ha Long Bay is 2 hours away.
♦ Ho Chi Minh City (SGN - Tan Son Nhat): The "Electric" arrival. It’s hot, humid, and the (more or less organized) chaos of motorbikes. The airport is practically in the city. Ideal for heading towards the Mekong Delta.
TRAVEL TIP: Which Vietnam would you like to explore?
Whether you land in traditional Hanoi or in the organized chaos of electric Ho Chi Minh City, your adventure awaits.
► Let's Vietnamescape!
Have a good flight!
In the end, no matter how many hours you spend crammed in a 32B seat; as soon as you are sitting on a little red plastic stool, a steaming bowl of pho in your hands, you’ll know you’ve arrived
And that it was all worth it.
Preparing your trip to Vietnam? Have a look here :