Vietnamese Airline Expands with New Routes to China and Aircraft Financing
VietJet Air strengthens its network by adding five new direct routes to China and leasing ten C909 aircraft amid rising travel demands.
In a significant move amidst rising fuel costs that have led many airlines to reduce operations, VietJet Air has announced a strategic expansion into China’s lower-tier cities. As of April 15, the airline is introducing five new direct routes linking Vietnam and various destinations in China:
- Hanoi to Hangzhou
- Hanoi to Enshi
- Hanoi to Huangshan
- Huangshan to Ho Chi Minh City
- Ho Chi Minh City to Guilin
The routes connecting Hanoi to Enshi and Ho Chi Minh City to Guilin are already operational, featuring 1-2 flights weekly. Plans to launch the Hangzhou and Huangshan routes are also underway.
This strategic expansion illustrates VietJet’s aim to improve connectivity between Vietnam and popular tourism destinations in China. While Hangzhou serves as a vital entry point in the Yangtze River Delta, Enshi and Huangshan cater to the increasing tourist interests of lower-tier cities.
VietJet’s expansion also aligns with a focus on industrial collaboration. On April 19, 2025, two C909 aircraft, wet-leased from Chengdu Airlines, were utilized for routes serving Hanoi, Con Dao, and Ho Chi Minh City, marking the debut of Chinese aircraft in the Vietnamese market. Recently, the airline secured a finance lease agreement for ten additional C909 aircraft, bolstering its growth trajectory as part of various bilateral agreements established during an official visit by Vietnam’s leadership to China.
