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Hanoi and Prague are set to experience a surge in tourism as Vietjet Air launches its inaugural European route connecting Hanoi and Prague via Almaty, Kazakhstan, on October 10, 2026. This exciting development opens up a new avenue for Australian travelers, facilitating access to Europe through Vietnam, one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations for Australians. This new route significantly enhances tourism connectivity between Southeast Asia and Europe.
The introduction of this low-cost carrier’s European expansion means passengers can enjoy eco-friendly fares starting at just AUD 510 one-way (approximately USD 405, including taxes and fees), making travel to Europe much more affordable as budget travel options diminish globally. This route promises not only cost savings but also supports tourism growth across Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and the Czech Republic.
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The new service will operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays using Vietjet’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which accommodates up to 377 passengers. With options in both business class and economy, travelers will have a range of choices to suit their preferences and budgets. The outbound flight will leave Hanoi at 8:45 AM and arrive in Prague by 6:30 PM, after a brief stop in Almaty. Conversely, passengers will return from Prague at 8:30 PM, arriving in Hanoi at 4:45 PM the following day.
The capacity of 377 passengers per flight is expected to boost tourism exchanges between Hanoi and Prague, enhancing the travel experience for Southeast Asian tourists wanting to explore Central Europe. The multi-cabin configuration caters to diverse traveler segments, from budget-conscious tourists to business travelers seeking premium service.
Even though Vietjet discontinued its direct Australia-Hanoi flights last year, Australian travelers can still take advantage of this new service. They will need to transfer between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi before boarding the flight to Prague, making a total of three stops on their journey from Australia to Europe. Nonetheless, the attractive fare of AUD 510 makes this trek worthwhile for budget-savvy explorers.
This combined itinerary, featuring layovers in both Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic, provides a unique opportunity for travelers keen on exploring less conventional destinations in Europe. It opens up an array of cultural experiences, allowing tourists to dive into Central Asian as well as Central European landscapes seamlessly.
Vietjet’s CEO, Nguyen Thanh Son, heralded this new route as a significant advancement in the airline’s strategy to become a major player in global aviation. He stated that with a modern fleet and innovative technology, the airline is poised to launch more routes to Europe. This expansion will build stronger **connections** between Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, including broader access to spots in Vietnam and Thailand.
According to the CEO, Vietjet now provides a closer link to Europe, emphasizing how improved aviation connectivity enhances tourism accessibility. This ambitious plan positions Vietnam as a pivotal gateway for Southeast Asian travelers looking to explore Europe while welcoming more European tourists to Vietnam and its neighboring regions.
In a statement that underscores the tourist potential generated by this new route, Jiří Pos, CEO of Prague Airport, noted that Vietnam is a crucial market within Southeast Asia. More than 75,000 passengers traveled between Prague and Hanoi in both directions in 2025, demonstrating a robust demand for travel between these destinations. This traffic underscores the decision to launch this new route as both timely and beneficial.
The anticipated increase in passenger traffic will have a significant economic impact, promoting local tourism services, hospitality, and dining experiences in both regions, and reinforcing the tourism sectors in Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
CzechTourism’s CEO, František Reismüller, highlighted the route as pivotal for boosting inbound tourism, pointing out Vietnam’s significant potential and its role as a gateway to Southeast Asia. He emphasized that easy accessibility significantly influences travelers’ decisions, and this new route will streamline travel to the Czech Republic, attracting visitors from the region and beyond.
This move consolidates Vietnam’s status as a regional tourism hub, enabling multi-destination travel that mutually benefits countries in Southeast Asia.
Although the launch begins with just twice-weekly flights from Hanoi to a less traveled European city, it signals Vietjet’s broader ambitions for international growth. As the airline’s first European gateway, this step marks a significant horizon for the Vietnamese carrier.
The initial flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays will offer travelers flexible options, allowing for ticket purchases for the entire journey or individual segments, enhancing the travel experience for an adventurous customer base.
The launch of the Hanoi-Prague route notably reshapes tourism dynamics between Australia and Europe, offering affordable travel through Vietnam, which remains one of Australia’s ten favorite travel destinations. Despite the three-stop journey, the AUD 510 one-way fare opens doors to European experiences, positively impacting travel expenditures across multiple destinations.
This new route fortifies Southeast Asia’s tourism infrastructure, cementing Vietnam’s role as a crucial hub for tourists heading towards Central Asia and Europe. The convergence of low fares and expansive travel options heralds a future of sustainable tourism growth that benefits aviation, local economies, and the global traveler community.
The Bottom Line: Vietjet’s new Hanoi-Prague route is a groundbreaking opportunity enhancing accessibility for Australian and Southeast Asian tourists, promising cultural exchanges and economic benefits across three countries. This milestone could potentially usher in a wave of new tourism routes across Europe, making it an exciting time for travelers seeking budget-friendly adventures.
Image Credit: Vietjet Air
Source: The post Hanoi and Prague Tourism Booms as Vietjet Launches First Europe Route Offering Australians Cheaper Fares: What You Need to Know first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.
