How to Get to Vietnam from Russia: Direct Flights and Connections

How to fly to Vietnam from Russia in 2026: the fastest option is a direct flight with Aeroflot, Vietnam Airlines, Sun PhuQuoc Airways or VietJet, taking 9–10 hours in the air. If there's no direct flight from your city, a one-stop connection via Seoul, Guangzhou or Bangkok works too — anywhere from 13 to 20 hours including the layover. Below: which airlines fly to Vietnam in 2026, which hubs are best for a connection, and what has changed in the route network between Russia and Vietnam. For the bigger picture on the destination, see our Vietnam overview, and if you're just starting to plan the trip, begin with "Vietnam for Russian travellers: the complete guide".

Direct flights from Russia to Vietnam in 2026

Four carriers currently operate direct flights to Vietnam from Russia: Aeroflot flies from Moscow to Ho Chi Minh City, to Nha Trang (Cam Ranh airport) and, since October 2026, to Phu Quoc; Vietnam Airlines resumed its Hanoi–Moscow route after a three-year suspension; Sun PhuQuoc Airways launches its own Moscow–Phu Quoc route on 14 November 2026; and VietJet opened charter flights from Ufa and Yekaterinburg in late October 2026.

Route table: flight times and frequency

Direct flights from Russia to Vietnam: airlines, routes and frequency

Details on the Ufa–Phu Quoc launch and the wider network expansion are covered by Vedomosti; the Sun PhuQuoc Airways schedule and Aeroflot's Phu Quoc programme are tracked by TKS.ru. As of early November 2026, S7 Airlines, Ikar (Fun&Sun), IrAero and Rossiya have only applied for new permits to fly to Vietnam — they don't yet operate scheduled flights (more on this below, in "What changed in 2026").

Connecting flights: which hubs to fly via

If there's no direct flight from your city or the dates don't suit you, a one-stop connection works. The main options, per Yandex Travel Journal:

• Via Guangzhou (China Southern) — one of the fastest connections, total travel time around 13 hours;
• Via Bangkok — also around 13 hours, with a dense schedule of onward flights to Vietnam from Thailand;
• Via Seoul/Incheon — the final leg to Vietnam takes about 5 hours, with a layover of 45 minutes to 4 hours;
• Via Doha (Qatar Airways) — a benchmark of around 16 hours total;
• Via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) — a benchmark of 14–16 hours, by analogy with other routes through the hub.

On separate tickets (different airlines, not one single booking) budget at least 3–4 hours for the connection, especially with checked luggage — you'll need to collect it and check in again for the next flight.

When a connection beats a direct flight

A connection makes sense in two cases: there's no direct flight from your city at all (say, you're not flying from Moscow, Ufa or Yekaterinburg), or the connecting fare is noticeably cheaper than the direct one — the savings sometimes outweigh the extra hours on the road. If you're travelling with children, heavy luggage, or every hour counts, a direct flight is usually more convenient, even at a higher price.

How long it takes: flight time from different cities

From Moscow, a direct flight to Hanoi takes about 8 hours 50 minutes, and to Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang or Phu Quoc about 9–10 hours. Regional charters from Ufa and Yekaterinburg fly similar durations (9–10 hours) but skip the stop in Moscow, saving time on the airport transfer if you don't live in the capital. Connecting routes take anywhere from 13 hours (via Guangzhou or Bangkok) to 16–20 hours (via Doha, Istanbul or other far-off hubs) — a noticeable gap, so for longer flights it's worth comparing total travel time upfront, not just the fare.

What changed in 2026

On 25 September 2026, Russia and Vietnam signed a memorandum on expanding air links. The quota jumped to 105 flights per week on each side. For context: at the time of signing, four Russian airlines were operating just 39 flights per week across 11 routes, and two Vietnamese carriers 31 flights per week across 13 routes (Vedomosti; memorandum details via 1Prime).

Five Russian airlines had already applied for new permits once the memorandum was signed: Aeroflot, Nordwind, S7 Airlines, Ikar and IrAero (AEX.RU). The demand explains the rush — passenger traffic between the two countries topped 1 million in just the first seven months of 2026, with forecasts putting the full-year figure above 2 million. That growth is exactly what's driving the expanded network and the new direct links to Phu Quoc and Nha Trang.

How to choose a flight without overpaying

Seats on charter dates — especially Ufa–Phu Quoc and Yekaterinburg–Phu Quoc/Nha Trang — sell out early, so book several months ahead if you have specific dates in mind. Compare a direct flight against a connection by total travel time, not just price: a 3–4 hour difference is rarely worth saving a modest amount if you're flying with children or heavy luggage.

Check the visa requirements separately before you travel — most Russian citizens can enter visa-free for up to 45 days, and a longer stay requires an e-visa (details and common mistakes are covered in "Vietnam e-visa: how to apply and avoid mistakes"). How to pay locally — by card, via VietQR or in cash — is covered in "How to Pay in Vietnam: Cards, QR Codes and Cash". To find a specific date and destination that fits your budget, try our destination matching tool.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct flight from Saint Petersburg to Vietnam?

As of early November 2026, there is no scheduled direct flight from Saint Petersburg — direct routes operate only from Moscow, while charters run from a handful of other cities (Ufa, Yekaterinburg and several AZUR Air destinations). Check current permits with the airline or tour operator before booking.

How long is a non-stop flight to Vietnam?

From 8 hours 50 minutes (Hanoi–Moscow on Vietnam Airlines) to 9–10 hours (Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc on Aeroflot, Sun PhuQuoc Airways and regional charters).

Which connection is fastest?

Via Guangzhou or Bangkok — total travel time around 13 hours, noticeably faster than routes via Doha or Istanbul.

Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam?

Most Russian citizens can enter visa-free for up to 45 days. For a longer stay you need an e-visa — how to apply and which mistakes to avoid is covered in a separate article.

Which airlines fly to Vietnam from Russia in 2026?

Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines run scheduled flights; Sun PhuQuoc Airways and VietJet launched new direct routes to the resorts; AZUR Air and Nordwind operate charter programmes for the 2026/27 winter season. The full route list is in the table in this article.

Flight schedules and route networks change regularly — check current routes and fares with the airline or your tour operator before booking.

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