Vietnam Airlines from India in 2026 — SkyTeam partner earn, SGN and HAN routes, lounge tiers
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer writes offbeat destination guides for Indian travellers — places that work in monsoon, shoulder-season picks, and the cities Indian first-time international travellers underrate. Based in Bangalore, perpetually mid-itinerary.) · Published · Last updated · 10 min read
A 2026 guide to Vietnam Airlines from India — its growing route network, SkyTeam Lotusmiles earning, lounges, onward connections, and practical Vietnam travel notes.
Quick answer
Vietnam Airlines is a strong, comfortable option from India in 2026, flying from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad to Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). As a full SkyTeam member, Lotusmiles earn across Delta, Korean Air, Air France-KLM and more. Delhi/Mumbai routes use widebodies (787/A350) with lie-flat business; Bengaluru/Hyderabad use the A321. Indians need a 90-day e-visa for Vietnam. Best for Vietnam trips and onward Southeast Asia.
The Vietnam Airlines India network
Vietnam Airlines has expanded meaningfully in India and now flies from four Indian cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad — all connecting to Hanoi, with Delhi and Mumbai also served to Ho Chi Minh City.
Aircraft matter here:
- Delhi and Mumbai: Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 widebodies, meaning a roomier cabin and lie-flat business class on the roughly 5-hour flight — a genuine comfort advantage.
- Bengaluru and Hyderabad (added in 2025): the narrower Airbus A321, a single-aisle aircraft suited to the route but without widebody business.
This makes Vietnam Airlines one of the more comfortable ways to reach Vietnam from India, especially from the two big metros.
Lotusmiles and SkyTeam earning from India
Lotusmiles is Vietnam Airlines' free frequent-flyer programme, with millions of members. Because Vietnam Airlines is a full SkyTeam member, the value extends well beyond its own flights:
- Earn and redeem across SkyTeam — Delta, Korean Air, Air France, KLM, China Airlines, Garuda and others — so India-Vietnam flights build miles usable alliance-wide.
- Status tiers in Lotusmiles confer SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus benefits (priority, lounge access) across member airlines.
- Practical angle: if you fly SkyTeam carriers (or credit-card-transfer into Lotusmiles), consolidating earning here can be worthwhile. Vietnam Airlines has at times run double-miles promotions on India-Vietnam routes, so watch for offers.
As with all programmes, earning rates and award charts change, so confirm current Lotusmiles terms before optimising.
SGN and HAN lounges
Vietnam Airlines operates its Lotus Lounges at its main hubs — Tan Son Nhat (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai (HAN) in Hanoi. Business-class passengers, Lotusmiles elite members and eligible SkyTeam Elite Plus travellers can access them, with Vietnamese and international food, drinks, and quiet seating to rest between flights.
Both airports are functional regional hubs. While the lounges are comfortable rather than world-leading, they are a pleasant place to wait for an onward Southeast Asian connection. If you are not lounge-eligible, both airports have reasonable dining and shopping in the terminals.
Onward connections — Southeast Asia, Australia, Korea
Vietnam's two hubs connect well onward:
- Southeast Asia: strong intra-region links to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
- East Asia: good service to Japan, Korea (a major market) and China/Taiwan.
- Australia: Vietnam Airlines serves Australian cities, offering a one-stop India-Australia option via SGN/HAN.
- SkyTeam reach: via Korean Air (Seoul) and Air France-KLM (Europe), you can build longer itineraries on one alliance.
As with Bangkok-hub carriers, the sweet spot is destinations in Southeast and East Asia plus Australia; for Europe or the Americas, you would typically connect onto a SkyTeam partner rather than fly Vietnam Airlines the whole way.
Vietnam as a destination — visa, season, layover
Visa: Indians need a Vietnam visa. The e-visa (apply on the official portal) is valid up to 90 days, costing around USD 25 single-entry or USD 50 multiple-entry, and covers air, land and sea entry. There is a limited 30-day visa-free arrangement only for Phu Quoc island, under strict direct-arrival, stay-on-island conditions. Verify current rules before booking via our visa guides.
Season: Vietnam is long and climatically varied. Broadly, the dry season (roughly November to April in the south, with regional differences) is popular; research your specific destinations (Hanoi/north, Da Nang/centre, Ho Chi Minh/south) as conditions differ.
Layover: a stop in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City is easy to turn into a few days of food, history and coffee culture.
Cabin experience and who it suits
On the widebody Delhi/Mumbai routes, Vietnam Airlines offers a comfortable cabin with lie-flat business — a real advantage for a 5-hour daytime or overnight hop. Economy is a standard, decent product. Service is pleasant and the airline is a full-service carrier with checked baggage and meals included. It suits leisure travellers heading to Vietnam, those continuing into Southeast Asia or Australia, and SkyTeam loyalists. Pure budget seekers on point-to-point India-Vietnam may find low-cost options, but rarely with the same comfort.
When to book Vietnam Airlines from India
Book Vietnam Airlines when: Vietnam is your destination, especially from Delhi or Mumbai where you get a widebody and lie-flat business; you are continuing onward into Southeast Asia, East Asia or Australia via SGN/HAN; or you are building SkyTeam/Lotusmiles miles. The widebody metros offer the best experience; from Bengaluru/Hyderabad expect a narrowbody A321. Fares fluctuate, so compare live prices and routings in the FlightGPT search, watch for promotional double-miles offers, and book ahead for peak season.
Frequently asked questions
Which Indian cities does Vietnam Airlines fly from?
Vietnam Airlines flies from four Indian cities in 2026: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. All connect to Hanoi, while Delhi and Mumbai also serve Ho Chi Minh City. Delhi and Mumbai routes use widebody 787s and A350s, while Bengaluru and Hyderabad, added in 2025, use the narrower A321.
Which alliance is Vietnam Airlines in?
Vietnam Airlines is a full member of SkyTeam. This means Lotusmiles earn and can be redeemed across the alliance, including Delta, Korean Air, Air France, KLM, China Airlines and Garuda. Lotusmiles elite tiers also confer SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus benefits like priority services and lounge access across member airlines.
Does Vietnam Airlines have lie-flat business class to India?
Yes, on the Delhi and Mumbai routes, which use widebody Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft with lie-flat business class on the roughly 5-hour flight. The Bengaluru and Hyderabad routes use the narrower single-aisle A321, which does not offer the same widebody business product. Choose the metro routes for maximum comfort.
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Indians need a Vietnam e-visa, available on the official portal, valid up to 90 days at around USD 25 single-entry or USD 50 multiple-entry, covering air, land and sea entry. A limited 30-day visa-free arrangement exists only for Phu Quoc island under strict direct-arrival conditions. Always verify current rules before booking.
Can I earn frequent-flyer miles on Vietnam Airlines from India?
Yes, through Lotusmiles, its free loyalty programme. Because Vietnam Airlines is in SkyTeam, miles earn on India-Vietnam flights and across partners like Delta, Korean Air and Air France-KLM. The airline has at times run double-miles promotions on India-Vietnam routes, so watch for offers. Confirm current earning rates and award charts before optimising.
What lounges does Vietnam Airlines have?
Vietnam Airlines operates Lotus Lounges at its hubs, Tan Son Nhat (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai (HAN) in Hanoi. Business-class passengers, Lotusmiles elites and eligible SkyTeam Elite Plus members can access them, with Vietnamese and international food, drinks and quiet seating for resting between connecting flights.
Is Vietnam Airlines good for connecting onward from Vietnam?
Yes, for Southeast Asia, East Asia and Australia. From SGN and HAN it links well to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Australian cities, offering one-stop options from India. Via SkyTeam partners like Korean Air and Air France-KLM you can extend to Europe, though usually on a partner rather than Vietnam Airlines throughout.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam from India?
Vietnam is climatically varied along its length, so it depends on your destinations. Broadly the dry season (roughly November to April in the south, with regional differences for the north and centre) is popular. Research conditions for Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City specifically, and book flights a couple of months ahead for peak periods.