Published on
November 23, 2025
Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in coordination with Vietnam Airlines, launched the Vietnam Tourism Promotion Program in Copenhagen, Denmark. This event not only marks the opening of the very first direct flight route between Ho Chi Minh City and Copenhagen but also represents a very important step in boosting Vietnam’s tourism industry. Opening new routes means opening up avenues to high-spending international visitors, making Vietnam a more prominent tourism gateway in Southeast Asia and deepening the relationships between Vietnam and Northern Europe.
The event is part of a larger strategy aimed at showcasing the country as dynamic, friendly, and culturally rich. It is expected to attract more tourists from Denmark, the Nordic region, and beyond, thus playing a very key role in developing Vietnam’s tourism sector. By facilitating easier travel between Northern Europe and Vietnam, this flight enhances Vietnam’s reputation as a premium international tourism destination.
Introducing Direct Flights: A Gateway to Growth in Vietnam’s Tourism Sector
Vietnam Airlines will begin operating the Ho Chi Minh City – Copenhagen route on December 15, 2025, offering three round-trip flights per week on the modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The new air route, which cuts travel time between Vietnam and Denmark to just 12 hours, is a strategic move by Vietnam Airlines to expand its presence in Europe and foster stronger tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
The new route will not only facilitate tourism growth but also create substantial economic benefits for Vietnam by attracting European visitors, particularly those from Denmark. With the addition of direct flights, Vietnam is positioned to become a more accessible destination for European travelers, especially those seeking unique cultural and leisure experiences in Southeast Asia. This move will likely lead to an increase in tourist arrivals and offer more opportunities for Vietnamese tourism businesses to engage with international markets.
Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam’s Leading Economic and Cultural Hub
Ho Chi Minh City, already known as Vietnam’s largest economic, cultural, and tourism hub, is expected to see an increase in tourism activity with the launch of this new direct flight. The city will benefit from the direct connection to Copenhagen as well as the Nordic region, attracting travelers who are interested in premium urban experiences, cultural tourism, and leisure travel.
As part of the Vietnam Tourism Promotion Program, Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism stakeholders, in collaboration with Vietnam Airlines, the Hanoi Department of Tourism, and Saigontourist Group, introduced the “New Ho Chi Minh City” tourism brand. This initiative highlights the city’s strengths as a modern, innovative, and globally integrated tourism destination. The new direct route to Copenhagen is expected to drive growth in tourism arrivals, particularly for high-spending travelers who will enjoy the city’s rich cultural experiences and vibrant business environment.
Three Pillars of Ho Chi Minh City’s Tourism Development
The roadshow also emphasized the three core pillars of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism development, which focus on cultural tourism, business tourism, and leisure tourism:
Ho Chi Minh City as a Center for Creativity and Urban Tourism: As a growing business hub, the city is also becoming a destination for premium tourism, blending modern attractions with cultural heritage.Binh Duong Area as an MICE and Industrial Center: This area is expanding its convention, trade, and business tourism infrastructure, enhancing the synergy between Vietnam’s economy and tourism sector.Ba Ria-Vung Tau as a Coastal Resort Destination: Known for its beautiful beaches and water sports, the region offers a luxury resort experience, contributing to the diverse tourism portfolio of the Ho Chi Minh City area.
The strategic development of these areas supports the broader goal of creating a comprehensive tourism ecosystem, appealing to different types of travelers, from business professionals to leisure tourists.
Tourism Impact: The Role of Direct Flights in Boosting Vietnam’s Tourism Economy
The launch of the Ho Chi Minh City – Copenhagen route significantly enhances Vietnam’s global tourism appeal. The direct air service simplifies travel between Vietnam and Denmark, while strengthening Vietnam Airlines’ presence in Europe. With the route scheduled to begin in December 2025, this new connection serves as a key factor in increasing the number of European visitors to Vietnam, particularly from Denmark and the Nordic market.
The tourism impact of this direct flight route goes beyond just the economic benefits. By reducing travel time to 12 hours, the route makes Vietnam more accessible to tourists from Europe, especially those from Northern Europe, who are often high-spending tourists looking for culturally rich and unique travel experiences. This is in line with Vietnam’s broader strategy of increasing tourism revenue by attracting high-value international visitors, particularly from markets like Europe.
Moreover, the new flight route will also facilitate the growth of cultural exchanges, opening doors for art, music, and culinary tourism between the two nations. This further solidifies Ho Chi Minh City’s role as a vibrant tourism hub that bridges Southeast Asia and Europe.
Vietnam Airlines and Ho Chi Minh City: Partners in Tourism Growth
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has praised Vietnam Airlines for its efforts in expanding its European flight network, and for choosing Ho Chi Minh City as the Vietnamese destination for the direct flight connecting Vietnam and Denmark. This close collaboration between aviation and tourism plays a crucial role in the synergy between tourism and the economy, creating a seamless experience for international tourists and further strengthening Vietnam’s tourism infrastructure.
A Bright Future for Vietnam’s Tourism Industry
The introduction of the Ho Chi Minh City – Copenhagen flight route represents a fundamental development in Vietnam’s tourism industry, intending to help the country raise its presence in the international market. By enhancing accessibility and promoting cultural exchange, this new route will play an important role in Vietnam’s tourism growth. It opens up new opportunities in both tourism and business exchanges between Vietnam and Northern Europe, strengthening Vietnam’s position as the leading tourism destination in Southeast Asia.
While the tourism sector has recovered and is growing, this joint effort by Vietnam Airlines and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism will probably lead to more direct flights, making the country an even more attractive destination for international tourists.
Image Source: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism
