HÀ NỘI — Vietravel Airlines officially launched its direct Hà Nội–Shenzhen route on November 14, expanding its presence in the Chinese market just three months after introducing the HCM City–Shenzhen service.

With services to Shenzhen from both Hà Nội and HCM City, the airline aims to strengthen connections between Việt Nam’s two largest economic centres and a key city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), supporting travel, business, trade and investment.

The new route operates daily, with a flight time of approximately one hour and 50 minutes.

Its launch comes ahead of the APEC 2026 Economic Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled for November 18–19 in Shenzhen, offering additional travel options for business travellers and tourists amid increased international attention on the city.

A Vietravel Airlines representative said the new service would help complete the airline’s network connecting Việt Nam with one of the region’s leading technology, manufacturing and trading hubs.

From Shenzhen, Chinese passengers can travel to Hà Nội or HCM City and connect to Vietravel Airlines’ domestic network, including destinations such as Đà Nẵng, Nha Trang (Cam Ranh), Đà Lạt and Buôn Ma Thuột.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese passengers gain more convenient direct access to Shenzhen, a major Chinese centre for technology, innovation and trade, as well as onward connections to other cities in the GBA.

Following the launch, Vietravel Airlines plans to expand its Chinese network to Chongqing and Kunming. Once these routes are introduced, the airline expects its total flight frequency between Việt Nam and China to reach nearly 30 flights per week.

The expansion is part of the airline’s broader transformation since joining the T&T Group ecosystem. Vietravel Airlines has been strengthening its operating capacity, expanding its fleet and developing its domestic and international network.

Recent milestones include the addition of its first owned Airbus A321 aircraft and an agreement with Airbus to purchase 50 new-generation aircraft, comprising 20 A220s and 30 A321-family aircraft.

The airline is also implementing a brand repositioning plan, expected to be completed in 2027, to align its business strategy, route network, service experience and brand identity with its new development phase.

On November 9, the airline announced the appointment of Bùi Quang Dũng as a member of its Board of Directors and Chief of the Board Secretariat. He previously held senior management positions, including Chairman of Bamboo Airways and Deputy General Director of FLC Group, as well as roles at Colliers International, BIM Group and Empire Group.

The Hà Nội–Shenzhen service is part of Vietravel Airlines’ longer-term strategy to expand its international network, strengthen operational capacity and establish a stronger presence in regional aviation markets. — VNS