Aviation

Vietjet Opens Direct Skyway Between Southeast Asia and Central Europe via Kazakhstan

Mohamed Imam

14 Oct 2026 • 2 min read

Vietjet’s wide-body Airbus A330 heading toward Europe on the newly launched Hanoi–Almaty–Prague route.

Vietjet has officially launched its highly anticipated transcontinental route connecting Hanoi to Prague, Czech Republic, with a strategic layover in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The milestone flight marks the low-cost carrier’s inaugural service into the European Union, signaling a major strategic expansion in intercontinental aviation.

The newly inaugurated service operates twice weekly—on Tuesdays and Saturdays—utilizing wide-body Airbus A330-300 aircraft equipped with multi-class seating, including SkyBoss and Business Class options. By securing fifth-freedom traffic rights in Kazakhstan, Vietjet is able to transport passengers not only between Vietnam and Europe, but also on the individual segments connecting Hanoi to Almaty and Almaty to Prague.

Connecting three distinct worlds: From Hanoi’s rich heritage through Almaty’s majestic mountains to Prague’s historic streets

VJ031: Hanoi (08:25) ➔ Almaty (12:50 / 14:20) ➔ Prague (18:55) | Tue, Sat
VJ032: Prague (20:55) ➔ Almaty (06:40+1 / 08:10+1) ➔ Hanoi (16:20+1) | Tue, Sat

Strengthening Trade, Tourism, and Diaspora Connections

The new route directly benefits the substantial Vietnamese diaspora in Central Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, where the community represents one of the largest recognized ethnic minorities in the country. Previous travel between Hanoi and Prague often required complex itineraries involving multiple transfers across major European or Middle Eastern hubs.

By introducing competitive airfares starting at promotional rates, the carrier expects to boost leisure travel, cultural exchange, and business investment across all three nations. Travelers planning their journeys can check the latest flight schedules and promotions directly through Vietjet's Official Portal.

In addition to passenger convenience, the direct link provides seamless air cargo transit between Southeast Asian manufacturing networks and Central European logistics hubs.

Flight path and schedule for Vietjet's new route linking Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Central Europe

Central Asia as an Emerging Strategic Crossroads

Kazakhstan's commercial hub, Almaty, acts as a crucial midpoint on this intercontinental corridor. Kazakh aviation authorities granted Fifth Freedom rights, allowing international travelers to explore Silk Road heritage before continuing on to Europe.

Furthermore, Vietnamese citizens enjoy visa-free entry to Kazakhstan for up to 30 days, making Almaty an appealing stopover destination for long-haul leisure travel. Industry analysts from Business Traveller highlight that low-cost long-haul expansion between Asia and Europe represents one of the most dynamic sectors in post-pandemic aviation growth.

Looking Ahead

With wide-body aircraft additions continuing to join Vietjet's fleet, airline executives have signaled plans to evaluate additional European destinations from regional bases in Southeast Asia. For updated travel requirements and destination insights, travelers can review guidelines at Prague Airport International or explore tourism resources on the Kazakh Tourism Board portal.