Flight VN63, carrying 254 passengers and operating at full capacity, departed from Noi Bai International Airport at 9:45 AM on May 8, 2025, and landed at Sheremetyevo International Airport (Moscow) at 3:40 PM local time.
To mark the occasion, all passengers on the inaugural flight received special commemorative gifts from the national flag carrier.
Viet Nam Airlines will operate the Ha Noi–Moscow route twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. From July 2026, the frequency is expected to increase to three flights per week to meet growing travel demand between the two nations.
The flights are operated using modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, offering four-star service in line with Skytrax standards, ensuring a comfortable experience for passengers on the nearly nine-hour journey.
Speaking at the event, Viet Nam Airlines General Director Le Hong Ha emphasised: “The resumption of direct flights between the two capitals, Ha Noi and Moscow, opens wider gateways for trade and exchanges between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation through air connectivity. It also strengthens the trusted bridge between the two countries. This is not merely a geographical connection, but a symbol of the strong and growing partnership between our nations.”
Russia has long been one of Viet Nam’s key tourism markets. According to the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, more than 232,000 Russian visitors came to Viet Nam in 2024, an increase of 84.9% compared to 2023.
In just the first two months of 2025, nearly 80,000 Russian travellers visited Viet Nam, a rise of 204% over the same period last year. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019, Russia was the leading European market for inbound tourism to Viet Nam.
For Russian tourists, the Ha Noi–Moscow air route provides a convenient gateway to explore Viet Nam’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. From Ha Noi, they can also easily venture further into Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Vietnamese travellers regard Moscow as a highly attractive destination and a convenient entry point to Europe and Central Asia.
Viet Nam’s 45-day visa exemption policy for Russian citizens, along with the Russian government’s e-visa system for Vietnamese nationals, with approval within just four days, also supports two-way tourism. These favourable conditions, combined with the direct flight between the two capitals, are expected to drive significant passenger growth in 2025.
In its 30th anniversary year (1995–2025), Viet Nam Airlines remains committed to opening and restoring 15 international routes, including new destinations such as Italy, India, and the UAE.
These air routes not only enhance connectivity but also promote the image of Viet Nam to the world, contributing to the country’s standing in a new era of national development.
