I’ve been flying to Vietnam for oven ten years now. What started as a one-off trip to Hanoi turned into a full-on obsession with the country, and I’ve spent way too many hours figuring out the best ways to get there from the US. I’ve routed through Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, and the Gulf carriers more times than I can count.
Below, I’m sharing the 11 airlines I’d recommend for flying to Vietnam in 2026, along with new routes about and the layovers worth taking. I’ve also included the points strategies that have saved me thousands on business class flights. A few of these took me years to figure out on my own!
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Now without further ado, here are the best Vietnam flights in 2026.
1. 🇻🇳 Vietnam Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Long Thanh (LTH) from June 2026
- ✈️ Best For: The only nonstop from the US to Vietnam
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: LotusMiles (SkyTeam alliance)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Use Flying Blue miles to book this route. 94,500 miles gets you business class, a steal for a 15 hour flight
Vietnam Airlines operates the only nonstop between the US and Vietnam, and that alone puts them at the top of this list. The San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City route runs four times weekly and takes around 15 hours. Compare that to 22+ hours routing through Tokyo or Seoul, and the choice becomes pretty obvious. I’ll take one longer flight over a groggy layover any day.
From Europe, they now fly direct from seven cities. London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich, Moscow, and the newest addition, Copenhagen, which launched December 2025. That Copenhagen route is the first ever nonstop linking Scandinavia to Vietnam, which is a big deal if you’re based in Northern Europe.
In June 2026, all long haul flights move to the brand new Long Thanh International Airport outside Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat has felt overcrowded for years, so I’m genuinely excited about this. Expect shorter queues and a much smoother arrival.
The real reason I recommend Vietnam Airlines? Domestic connections. Once you arrive, they fly to every major destination including Da Nang, Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Hoi An. Book everything on one ticket and your bags transfer automatically. Trust me, anyone who’s ever sprinted through an airport to recheck luggage knows how valuable that is.
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2. 🇺🇸 United Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) via Hong Kong (HKG)
- ✈️ Best For: Americans who want to earn and burn US miles flying to Vietnam
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Economy Plus, Premium Plus, Polaris Business
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: MileagePlus (Star Alliance)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Flights depart Ho Chi Minh City at 6am, connecting through Hong Kong to reach LA or SFO the same day. Book Polaris if you can, those lie flat seats make the journey far more bearable
United returned to Vietnam in October 2025 after nearly a decade away, and I couldn’t be more excited. They’re now the only US carrier flying to Ho Chi Minh City, operating daily via a quick Hong Kong stop. You can connect from either Los Angeles or San Francisco, with onward access to 75 other US cities from there.
So how does this compare to Vietnam Airlines? The trade off is simple. Vietnam Airlines gives you nonstop from San Francisco, but only four times a week. United flies daily but adds a 90 minute layover in Hong Kong. If you’re based in LA or anywhere outside California, United probably makes more sense because you’re connecting anyway.
The 787-9 Dreamliners on this route carry 257 passengers across four cabins. Polaris business class has 48 lie flat seats with direct aisle access, which matters on overnight flights. Premium Plus sits in its own small cabin if you want extra space without the full business class price.
Where United wins is flexibility. Daily departures mean you’re not planning your entire trip around four weekly flight slots. MileagePlus miles are also easier to earn for most Americans through credit cards, and Star Alliance partners like ANA and Singapore Airlines open up alternative routings if you need them.
- Before you book, check out: United Airlines First Class Review: Is it Worth It in 2026?
3. 🇭🇰 Cathay Pacific
- 🏠 Hub: Hong Kong (HKG)
- ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want world class service and a Hong Kong stopover
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Asia Miles (Oneworld)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Alaska Mileage Plan charges just 50,000 miles for business class from anywhere in the US to Vietnam via Hong Kong, and they allow a free stopover. That’s half what most programs charge
Here’s my honest take on Cathay Pacific. They consistently deliver one of the best passenger experiences to Asia, and they fly to Vietnam more frequently than any other premium carrier on this list. From Hong Kong, you’re looking at 18 weekly flights to Ho Chi Minh City and 12 weekly to Hanoi. That kind of schedule flexibility is hard to match.
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👉 Send me cheap 2026 flightsThe Hong Kong connection is actually an advantage, not a drawback. Cathay offers free stopovers for up to seven days with no extra airfare, which means you can explore one of the world’s great cities on your way to Vietnam. Compare that to United’s Hong Kong routing where you’re just passing through the airport.
Cathay’s A350 and 777 business class seats are reverse herringbone with lie flat beds and direct aisle access on every long haul flight. You know exactly what you’re getting. If you’re flying from Vancouver, you might even score their new Aria Suite with closing doors and 24 inch screens. US routes are still on the older product, but it remains comfortable.
The lounge situation in Hong Kong is temporarily messy. The Wing First closed for renovations in May 2025 and won’t reopen until sometime in 2026. But for economy and premium economy passengers, the real win is those Asia Miles. Transfer partners include Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Bilt, all at a 1:1 ratio with instant transfers.
4. 🇰🇷 Korean Air
- 🏠 Hub: Seoul Incheon (ICN)
- ✈️ Best For: Beach lovers who want to skip Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City entirely
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Prestige (Business), First
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: SKYPASS (SkyTeam)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Your Delta miles and status work on Korean Air as if it were Delta. Same earning rates, same perks
Most airlines drop you in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and leave you to figure out the rest. Korean Air does something different. From their Seoul hub, they fly direct to five Vietnamese cities including Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. So if you’re planning a beach trip to central or southern Vietnam, you can fly from the US to Seoul, then straight to the coast without messing around with domestic flights.
I’ve done this exact routing to Da Nang and it shaved hours off my journey. Seoul Incheon is genuinely one of the world’s best airports, so the layover feels like a bonus rather than a burden. Their renovated flagship lounge reopened in August 2025 and it’s worth arriving early for.
If you fly Delta, Korean Air should be at the top of your list. The two airlines share a joint venture, which means your SkyMiles and elite status transfer automatically. The Asiana merger closed in December 2024, expanding their US network to 160 weekly flights from 13 cities.
Their Prestige business class on the newer 787s is impressive, with lie flat beds, wireless charging, and a modern cabin that feels more boutique hotel than airplane. Compared to Cathay, Korean Air can’t match the frequency to Hanoi and Saigon. They win on getting you directly to the places most travelers want to go.
- Planning a trip to South Korea? Read: The 10 Best Airlines to Fly to South Korea
5. 🇸🇬 Singapore Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Singapore Changi (SIN)
- ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want the best service in the sky and don’t mind a longer journey
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First, Suites
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: KrisFlyer (Star Alliance)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines launched a codeshare in October 2025. You can now book SQ flight numbers to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang
Singapore Airlines is widely considered the best airline in the world, and flying them to Vietnam feels like a treat even if the routing takes longer. From the US, you’ll connect through Singapore Changi, consistently ranked the world’s best airport. The layover there is enjoyable, with gardens, a rooftop pool, and enough restaurants to fill a small town.
They fly nonstop from New York, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle to Singapore. The New York route is actually the longest commercial flight on earth at nearly 19 hours, operated by their A350 with only business and premium economy cabins. From Singapore, the hop to Vietnam is short, around two hours to Ho Chi Minh City or three to Hanoi.
I’d fly Singapore Airlines for a special occasion or if you’re combining Vietnam with other Southeast Asian destinations. Singapore’s business class is spacious with 28 inch wide seats that convert to proper flat beds, and the service is famously attentive without being intrusive. A brand new business class cabin debuts in mid 2026, so timing your trip right could get you one of the first flights with the updated product.
Compared to Cathay or Korean Air, Singapore Airlines requires more travel time but delivers a noticeably more refined experience. If the journey matters as much as the destination, this is your airline. Believe me, you’ll remember the flight!
- You may also like: 12 Beautiful Places in Singapore to Visit This Year
6. 🇶🇦 Qatar Airways
- 🏠 Hub: Doha Hamad (DOH)
- ✈️ Best For: Points and miles enthusiasts who want the world’s best business class
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Business (Qsuite), First
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Privilege Club (Oneworld)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Use American Airlines miles to book Qsuite at 70,000 miles each way from the US to Doha. Award availability is surprisingly good if you’re flexible on dates
Qatar Airways flies to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from their Doha hub, with daily service to Saigon and four weekly flights to Hanoi. The routing takes you east through the Middle East, which adds travel time compared to Pacific options. That said, the product onboard makes the longer journey worthwhile.
Their Qsuite business class is the best in the sky. I don’t say that lightly. The suite has closing doors for privacy, a 79 inch lie flat bed with proper bedding from The White Company, and the option to combine middle seats into a double bed for couples. The Al Mourjan lounge in Doha spans over 100,000 square feet and feels more like a luxury hotel than an airport lounge. Free in-flight Starlink WiFi rolled out across their 777 fleet in 2025, with speeds up to 500 Mbps.
The catch is that Qsuite isn’t guaranteed on Vietnam routes. Doha to Ho Chi Minh City often operates with older aircraft, and you might end up with the standard business class seat instead. If Qsuite matters to you, check the aircraft type when booking and be prepared for last minute equipment swaps.
Compared to Emirates, Qatar offers a more refined and private experience. Emirates has flashier cabins and onboard bars, but Qatar wins on sleep quality and overall consistency. For the US to Vietnam routing, Qatar also positions well for Oneworld members who can use American Airlines or British Airways miles.
- Read before you fly: Qatar Airways First Class Review & Complete Guide
7. 🇦🇪 Emirates
- 🏠 Hub: Dubai (DXB)
- ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want a glamorous, social flying experience
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Skywards (no alliance)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Emirates launched Da Nang service in June 2025 via Bangkok. If you’re headed to central Vietnam’s beaches, this is now a direct option from Dubai
Emirates expanded aggressively into Vietnam in 2025. They now serve three cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. The Da Nang route launched in June 2025 and operates four times weekly via Bangkok, giving European and Middle Eastern travelers a direct path to Vietnam’s best beaches. Ho Chi Minh City has daily service, and they added a second daily flight in early 2025 due to surging demand.
The reason to fly Emirates is the experience itself. Their A380 business class features an onboard bar and lounge where you can stand up, stretch your legs, and have a conversation with other passengers. I’ve spent hours there on long flights enjoying champagne and canapes.
Emirates’ business class seat is comfortable with lie flat beds and a personal minibar at each seat, though the cabin design is getting a bit dated compared to newer products like Qatar’s Qsuite. Emirates compensates with excellent soft product: Bulgari amenity kits, quality champagne, and genuinely attentive service. Their Dubai lounge is massive and worth arriving early for.
Where Emirates falls short compared to Qatar is privacy. The seats don’t have doors, and the cabin can feel busy on full flights. But if you’re someone who enjoys the social side of travel and wants to arrive feeling like you’ve had an experience rather than just a flight, Emirates delivers something most airlines don’t even attempt.
- Read next: Top Photo-Worthy Spots in Dubai
- You may also like: Gorgeous Places in the Middle East
8. 🇹🇼 Starlux Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Taipei (TPE)
- ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want a premium experience on a stylish new airline
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: COSMILE (partner with Alaska Airlines)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Starlux serves four Vietnamese cities from Taipei: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc. For Americans, that means one quick layover in Taiwan gets you to Vietnam’s beaches
Starlux is the airline I get most excited recommending to friends. It earned Skytrax’s 5 Star rating in 2025 after just five years of operation, which is unheard of for a startup carrier. The founder is the former chairman of EVA Air, and he built this airline to prove that flying can still feel special. Based on my experience, he succeeded.
From the US, Starlux flies nonstop to Taipei from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Ontario. Phoenix launched in January 2026. Their Alaska Airlines codeshare connects 20 American cities on single itineraries, so you’re not stuck booking separate tickets. From Taipei, Starlux serves Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc directly.
The Starlux A350 business class seat is my favorite reverse herringbone configuration in the sky. Each seat has a closing door, a 24 inch screen, and a footwell that doesn’t squeeze your feet when you’re trying to sleep. The crew strikes a perfect balance between attentive and relaxed. You feel taken care of without feeling watched.
The main reason I chose Starlux for this list is Alaska Mileage Plan pricing. Transpacific business class starts at 75,000 miles, and the Taipei to Vietnam leg adds just 15,000 more. Compare that to what airlines charge through their own programs and you’ll see why points collectors specifically route through Taipei to fly Starlux.
9. 🇹🇼 EVA Air
- 🏠 Hub: Taipei (TPE)
- ✈️ Best For: Citi credit card holders who want business class without paying business class prices
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business (Royal Laurel)
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Infinity MileageLands (Star Alliance)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Citi ThankYou points transfer 1:1 to EVA. Book through EVA’s own program and you’ll find business class seats that aren’t available anywhere else
EVA Air is the airline I recommend to those with Citi credit cards. Most airlines release a handful of award seats to partner programs, but EVA keeps the good stuff for members who book directly. Transfer your Citi points to EVA’s Infinity MileageLands program and business class opens up at 75,000 miles each way.
From the US, EVA flies out of seven cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Dallas, which launched in October 2025. The connection through Taipei to Vietnam is smooth. Daily flights reach Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in about three hours, and Taipei’s airport is easy to navigate. EVA’s lounge there serves excellent beef noodle soup, which has become part of the ritual for me!
Try to book a flight on their 787 aircraft if you can. The business class seats have roomier footwells for sleeping and sharper screens than the older 777s. Seattle gets the 787s most consistently. Both planes offer fully flat beds and the attentive service EVA is known for, but the 787 makes overnight flights more comfortable.
The one frustration is EVA’s outdated booking website. Transfers take a day or two and the interface needs work. I put up with it because the award availability is genuinely better than competitors, and ten years of Skytrax 5 Star ratings means the product consistently delivers.
- You’ll also enjoy: Best Airlines for Affordable & Comfortable Flights to Taiwan
10. 🇯🇵 ANA (All Nippon Airways)
- 🏠 Hub: Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT)
- ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want one of the world’s finest business class experiences with a worthwhile stopover in Japan
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Mileage Club (Star Alliance)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Virgin Atlantic points transfer from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt at 1:1 ratios. Business class to Tokyo costs 52,500 to 60,000 points each way, making this one of the best deals in award travel
ANA’s business class product called “The Room” features private suites with closing doors and so much space that passengers regularly mistake it for first class. It rivals Qatar’s Qsuite as the best business class in the sky.
ANA flies from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Washington DC, and Honolulu to Tokyo. From there, daily flights reach both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in about six hours. I highly recommend a layover in Tokyo. Spend a night or two exploring one of the world’s great cities before continuing to Vietnam.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers the best rates for ANA business class, and you can transfer points from almost every major credit card program. Business class runs 52,500 to 60,000 points each way depending on your departure city. The catch is that you need to call Virgin Atlantic to book, and award availability requires patience to find. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, this represents extraordinary value for an extraordinary product.
If I’m honest, ANA is my personal favorite way to fly to Vietnam when time allows. The combination of Japanese hospitality, world class seats, and a Tokyo stopover makes the journey itself part of the adventure.
11. 🇻🇳 Vietjet Air
- 🏠 Hub: Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
- ✈️ Best For: Budget travelers hopping between Vietnamese cities who care more about price than perks
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy (SkyBoss premium seats available)
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Vietjet SkyJoy
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Base fares exclude everything. Budget an extra $20 to $40 for checked bags and know that carry-on is strictly limited to one bag at 7kg
Once you land in Vietnam, Vietjet becomes your best friend for getting around the country. The airline operates 50 domestic routes with frequencies that put Vietnam Airlines to shame. Need a last-minute flight from Hanoi to Da Nang? Vietjet probably has three options that day.
The fares can look almost unbelievably cheap. I’ve seen $21 flights pop up during flash sales. But Vietjet follows the ultra-low-cost playbook: the base fare gets you a seat and nothing else. Water costs extra. Snacks cost extra. Checked bags cost extra. Seat selection costs extra.
By the time you’ve added what you need, you’re paying $50 to $80 for most domestic flights. Still a bargain, just not quite the miracle the headline fare promised. SkyBoss seats cost more but include priority boarding, lounge access, 30kg checked baggage, and the ability to change flights. It’s worth considering on longer routes like Hanoi to Phu Quoc.
The planes are new Airbus A321neos and the safety record is good. Delays happen more often than on Vietnam Airlines, so don’t book tight connections. Customer service can be hit or miss. But for pure value getting around Vietnam, Vietjet delivers. The airline just took delivery of 22 new aircraft and keeps expanding. Embrace the chaos, pack light, and enjoy the savings!
- Plan your trip: 8 Best Places in Vietnam If You Love Culture and Adventure
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
