On December 15, 2025, Vietnam Airlines (VN), the national flag carrier of Vietnam, inaugurated its first direct nonstop service between Ho Chi Minh City and Copenhagen, Denmark, establishing the first-ever air link between Vietnam and Northern Europe. The inaugural flight took place and according to VietnamPlus “represents a significant step in the national flag carrier’s European network expansion strategy for the 2025–2030 period“.
The inaugural sector, designated flight VN39, departed Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City at 22:45 local time and successfully landed at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) after more than 12 hours of flight time on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying over 200 passengers. The return service, VN38, operated the next morning, accommodating more than 300 passengers.
Vietnam Airlines Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Airline name | Vietnam Airlines |
| IATA code | VN |
| Headquarters | Hanoi, Vietnam |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Alliance | SkyTeam member |
| Fleet size | ~100 aircraft (widebody and narrow body) |
| Long-haul aircraft | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
| European hubs | Paris, Frankfurt, London, Milan, Moscow, Copenhagen |
| SkyTeam partnerships | Codeshare with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) to extend regional connectivity |
Vietnam Airlines’ Ho Chi Minh City–Copenhagen: Route details and Strategic Importance
Vietnam Airlines’ direct Ho Chi Minh City–Copenhagen route operates with a three-times-weekly frequency, departing SGN on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, and returning from CPH on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.
| Detail | VN39 | VN38 |
|---|---|---|
| Flight number | VN39 | VN38 |
| Route | Ho Chi Minh City → Copenhagen | Copenhagen → Ho Chi Minh City |
| Departure airport | Tan Son Nhat International Airport | Copenhagen Airport |
| Departure date & time | December 15, 10:45 p.m. | December 16, 10:50 a.m. |
| Arrival airport | Copenhagen Airport | Tan Son Nhat International Airport |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
| Flight duration | Over 12 hours | Over 12 hours |
| Passengers carried | 200+ | 300+ |
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- The Vietnamese diaspora in Northern Europe, estimated by VietnamNews, at approximately 70,000 people, represents a strong community travel base
- Copenhagen’s status as a major Scandinavian transport hub affords onward connectivity to Sweden, Norway and Finland, enhancing the route’s utility beyond the point-to-point market.
Authoritative voices within the airline emphasize both commercial and cultural imperatives. Đặng Anh Tuấn, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines said:
“Copenhagen represents a strategic market in Vietnam Airlines’ European network growth. Our nonstop service dramatically reduces travel time between Vietnam and Denmark, enhances our competitive edge, and creates new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange across Northern Europe. This direct connection will deliver clear benefits to passengers, enterprises, and the Vietnamese community in the region.”
Previous Similar Long-Haul Launches
The launch of the SGN–CPH direct service resonates with Vietnam Airlines’ prior expansions into key global markets in Europe, where similar long-haul initiatives have forged new international connectivity.
| Route (Point A → Point B) | Launch date | Aircraft type (deployed) | Typical frequency / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi (HAN) → Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | Sept 2015 (A350 introduction on route) | Airbus A350-900 | Regular long-haul service; A350 used to inaugurate Vietnam’s new generation widebody operations. |
| Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) → Munich (MUC) | October 2024 (new direct services) | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Initially twice weekly, expanded with additional frequencies from Dec 2024; serves both Hanoi and HCM connections to Germany. |
| Hanoi (HAN) → Milan Malpensa (MXP) | 1 July 2025 (first nonstop Hanoi–Milan) | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Three-times-weekly service; expands Vietnam’s reach into Southern Europe and Italian market. |
| Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) → Copenhagen (CPH) | 15 December 2025 (inaugural VN39) | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Thrice weekly; first-ever nonstop link between Vietnam and Northern Europe, providing onward Scandinavian connectivity. |
| Vietnam → Germany (Frankfurt region) — A350 deployment | Jan 2018 (A350 put into service on Germany routes) | Airbus A350-900 | A350s rotated through Germany services (Frankfurt and others) to modernise long-haul operations. |
In June this year, SAS and Vietnam Airlines had undergone a codeshare agreement, allowing these two SkyTeam members to operate between Chi Minh City and Hanoi and the following cities:
- Copenhagen
- Stockholm
- Oslo
On the occasion of the launch, Paul Verhagen, Chief Commercial Officer at SAS, had remarked:
“We are pleased to expand our network to Vietnam through Vietnam Airlines, a trusted partner internationally recognized for its safety and on-time performance. As the world’s most punctual airline, we take pride in offering our passengers reliable and seamless connections—now extended to Vietnam through this partnership. This agreement is a testament to the value of the SkyTeam alliance in delivering global connectivity and shared benefits for frequent flyers. It also opens up exciting opportunities for our passengers to experience Vietnam’s vibrant culture, natural beauty,
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Aircraft Deployment by Vietnam Airlines between Ho Chih Minh and Copenhagen
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner deployed on the SGN–CPH route is a cornerstone of Vietnam Airlines’ long-haul fleet. First introduced into commercial service in the early 2010s, the 787-9 combines advanced composite materials with fuel-efficient engines, enabling operators to open thinner long-haul markets with reduced operating costs.
Vietnam Airlines has eleven aircraft of this type, and these average 9.8 years. Let’s have a look at the details:
| Registration | Cabin Configuration | Delivery Month & Year | Aircraft Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| VN-A861 | C28W35Y211 | July 2015 | 10.6 years |
| VN-A862 | C28W35Y211 | August 2015 | 10.4 years |
| VN-A863 | C28W35Y211 | August 2015 | 10.3 years |
| VN-A864 | C28W35Y211 | October 2015 | 10.2 years |
| VN-A865 | C28Y283 | December 2015 | 10.1 years |
| VN-A866 | C28Y283 | January 2016 | 10.0 years |
| VN-A867 | C28W35Y211 | April 2016 | 9.7 years |
| VN-A868 | C28W35Y211 | October 2016 | 9.4 years |
| VN-A869 | C28Y283 | October 2016 | 9.2 years |
| VN-A870 | C28W35Y211 | November 2016 | 9.1 years |
| VN-A871 | C28W35Y211 | May 2017 | 8.7 years |
Data: planespotters.net
Vietnam Airlines’ 787-9s typically feature a three-class cabin configuration tailored for long-haul travel, with business, premium economy and economy sections designed for comfort on flights exceeding 12 hours.
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Seating Configuration Details for Vietnam Airlines’ 787-9 for Three Class Layout
| Cabin Class | Seat Type | Seat Pitch (inches) | Seat Width (inches) | Row Numbers | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Class | Lie-flat | 42 | 21 | 1–7 | 28 |
| Premium Economy | Recliner | 38 | 18 | 10–15 | 35 |
| Economy Class | Standard seat | 32 | 18 | 16–40 | 211 |
Seating Configuration Details for Vietnam Airlines’ 787-9 for Two Class Layout
| Cabin Class | Seat Type | Seat Pitch (inches) | Seat Width (inches) | Row Numbers | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Class | Lie-flat | 42 | 21 | 1–7 | 28 |
| Economy Class | Standard seat | 32 | 18 | 16–50 | 283 |
All in All
Vietnam Airlines’ debut of nonstop flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Copenhagen marks a watershed moment in aviation connectivity between Vietnam and Northern Europe. Vietnam is the only carrier that is offering a non-stop flight between the two cities. Emirates offere a one-stop flight connection with a stop of Dubai International Airport while Qatar’s stop is at Doha.