Vietjet is flying to Europe for the first time. The Vietnamese budget carrier launches its new Hanoi–Prague route on October 10, 2026, marking the airline’s first-ever flight to the European Union and opening a new, more direct way for travelers moving between Vietnam and Central Europe.
What the New Route Looks Like
The Hanoi–Prague service runs twice weekly and includes a stopover in Almaty, Kazakhstan, rather than flying nonstop. It’s Vietjet’s first scheduled route into the EU, expanding the airline’s network well beyond its usual Southeast Asian and regional Asian routes. Vietjet has been steadily adding long-haul and international connections from Hanoi over the past year, and Prague is its most ambitious addition yet.
Why This Route Matters
Until now, travelers connecting Vietnam with Central Europe generally had to route through a major Gulf or Western European hub on a full-service carrier, usually at a higher fare. A budget carrier flying Hanoi to Prague — even with one stop — gives price-sensitive travelers, including the growing number of Vietnamese nationals studying, working or visiting family in the Czech Republic, a cheaper and more direct alternative. It also reflects Vietnam’s broader momentum this year: the country has been drawing strong visitor growth, recently reported at 15.9 million visitors through August 2026, and airlines are responding by adding new international capacity.
What Travelers Should Know Before Booking
As a new route on a budget carrier with a layover, expect the usual budget-airline tradeoffs: check baggage allowances carefully, since Vietjet’s base fares typically don’t include checked luggage, and build extra buffer time around the Almaty stopover in case of schedule changes common to newly launched routes. If you’re a higher-spending traveler planning a longer Vietnam stay around this new connection, it’s also worth knowing Vietnam recently introduced a dedicated visa category for high-spending tourists.
The Bottom Line
Vietjet’s Hanoi–Prague launch is a small but genuinely new option on a route that previously ran almost exclusively through full-service carriers and major hubs. It won’t be the fastest way to fly between Vietnam and Central Europe, but for travelers prioritizing price over a nonstop flight, it’s worth comparing against the usual Gulf-hub routings when booking.
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