Rome (VNA) – National-flag carrier Vietnam Airlines officially launched its first direct flight connecting Hanoi and Milan in Italy on July 1, marking a historic milestone in the airline’s international expansion strategy, and bringing the total number of its direct routes to Europe to nine.

The inaugural ceremony at Milan Malpensa Airport was held with the attendance of Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, representatives from the Lombardy regional government, and airport executives.

This new service not only highlights Vietnam Airlines’ strategic push to expand its global network but also establishes a direct air link between Vietnam and Italy for the first time, reinforcing its role as a vital bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe.

Flight VN72 departed from Milan at 12:45pm local time on July 1 and arrived at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 4:35am on July 2. In the opposite direction, Flight VN73 had left Hanoi at 12:45am on July 1, carrying 155 passengers and landing in Milan at 7:40 am local time. To mark the occasion, the airline presented commemorative gifts and flowers to crew and passengers aboard the inaugural flight, creating a memorable and meaningful experience.

The Hanoi–Milan route will operate three round-trip flights per week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, using wide-body Boeing 787 aircraft. Each leg of the journey takes approximately 12 hours. As Italy’s second-largest economic hub and a key gateway to southwestern Europe, Milan is expected to play a strategic role within Vietnam Airlines’ European network, offering passengers seamless access to multiple destinations across the continent.

This new route not only facilitates two-way travel between Vietnam and Italy but also strengthens Vietnam Airlines’ market share on the broader Europe–Vietnam corridor.

In 2023, Vietnam welcomed nearly 57,000 Italian visitors, equivalent to over 80% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels, signalling a strong post-COVID rebound. The elimination of stopovers via third countries is expected to enhance the overall travel experience and significantly boost inbound Italian tourism to Vietnam in the coming years.

Speaking to the press, Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, emphasised that the direct Hanoi–Milan route not only shortens physical distance but also opens new doors for tourism and economic exchange between the two countries, highlighting Italy as a promising European market.

This new service allows travellers from Vietnam to explore the ‘land of great heritage’ with ease, including culturally rich cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, Hoa noted. Likewise, Italian travellers now have easier access to Vietnam’s iconic destinations like Hanoi, Ha Long, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, making it simpler than ever to experience our country’s unique beauty and hospitality, he said.

Hoa also said the route symbolizes Vietnam Airlines’ commitment to closer global connections.

He revealed that Vietnam Airlines plans to operate or restore 15 international routes, with Hanoi–Milan as a strategic highlight. As the first direct link between the two countries, it significantly cuts travel time and boosts tourism, trade, and cultural cooperation.

With rising travel demand between 💎Vietnam and Italy, Hoa called the route “an essentia🐻l link” supporting Vietnam Airlines’ push into the European market and helping the tourism goal of attracting 22–24 million international visitors by 2025./.