Quick summary
Vietjet announced five new routes between Vietnam and China during a state visit on April 16–17, 2026, alongside a lease agreement for 10 COMAC C909 aircraft with SPDB Financial Leasing. The routes—Hanoi–Hangzhou, Hanoi–Enshi, Hanoi–Huangshan, Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin, and Ho Chi Minh City–Huangshan—expand the carrier’s network to 55 Chinese cities, with two routes already operational since early April. The COMAC deal diversifies Vietjet’s fleet beyond Boeing and Airbus, cutting capital expenditure by an estimated 20% while supporting the airline’s push into secondary Chinese markets.
The C909 narrow-body fits Vietnam–China routes perfectly, with range and capacity suited to 2–3 hour sectors. Vietjet has also partnered with AVIC Cabin Systems to develop aircraft interiors, signaling deeper industrial cooperation between the two countries.
How the expansion reshapes Vietnam–China connectivity
The five routes target a mix of economic hubs and tourism destinations. Hangzhou serves as a tech and e-commerce center, while Enshi and Huangshan cater to leisure travelers seeking UNESCO World Heritage sites and karst landscapes. Guilin, already a popular destination, gains a second Vietnamese gateway via Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
Two routes began operations in early April—Hanoi–Enshi and Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin—giving Vietjet a head start on the summer travel season. The remaining three routes are expected to launch in the coming weeks, though the airline has not published exact start dates. Over the past decade, Vietjet has operated 131 routes between Vietnam and China, completing nearly 70,000 flights and carrying approximately 14.5 million passengers.
The COMAC C909 lease agreement, signed with SPDB Financial Leasing during the state visit, covers up to 10 aircraft. The C909 is a narrow-body jet designed for short to medium-haul routes, making it well-suited for the Vietnam–China market. Deliveries are expected to begin in mid-2026, with the aircraft entering service on select routes by the fourth quarter. Official statements from Vietjet indicate the deal will enable the airline to expand capacity while optimizing operational efficiency through diversified financing structures.
| Route | Status | Primary market |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi–Hangzhou | Launching soon | Tech/business |
| Hanoi–Enshi | Operating since early April | Tourism |
| Hanoi–Huangshan | Launching soon | Tourism (UNESCO) |
| Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin | Operating since early April | Tourism (karsts) |
| Ho Chi Minh City–Huangshan | Launching soon | Tourism (UNESCO) |
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Why Vietjet chose COMAC over Boeing and Airbus
The decision to lease COMAC aircraft reflects both financial pragmatism and geopolitical positioning. Boeing and Airbus face delivery backlogs stretching into 2028, while COMAC can deliver the C909 within months. The lease structure through SPDB Financial Leasing—a subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank—reduces upfront capital requirements, a critical factor as the Vietnamese dong weakens against the dollar.
State visit timing matters. Announcements made during President To Lam’s visit to China signal regulatory favor, including potential slot priority at Chinese tier-2 airports and streamlined approval for new routes. For Vietjet, this translates to faster market entry and yield protection against competitors like AirAsia, which has been expanding its own China network.
The partnership with AVIC Cabin Systems extends beyond aircraft interiors. Through collaboration with Jiatai, a member of AVIC Cabin Systems, the agreement promotes supply chain localization and facilitates technology transfer. This positions Vietjet to reduce reliance on Western suppliers while building domestic aviation manufacturing capacity—a strategic priority for Vietnam’s government.
Air Traveler Club’s airline promo monitoring flagged similar expansion moves by Gulf carriers earlier this month, with Etihad Airways launching five new China routes from Abu Dhabi in October 2026 and March 2027. The competitive pressure on Vietnam–China fares is building.
What to do if you’re booking Vietnam–China travel
Two routes are already operational, and three more launch in the coming weeks—here’s how to take advantage.
- Search Vietjetair.com directly for Hanoi–Hangzhou, Hanoi–Enshi, and Hanoi–Huangshan bookings starting in May 2026. Launch fares on new routes typically run 20–30% below established pricing for the first 60–90 days.
- Monitor Google Flights for Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)–Guilin connections from US and European hubs. One-stop deals under $1,000 return are appearing intermittently as the route ramps up frequency.
- Book early for UNESCO sites like Huangshan, where hotel inventory is limited and prices spike during peak season (May–October). Vietjet’s entry should pressure fares downward, but accommodation costs won’t follow.
- Check codeshare options if you’re connecting from North America or Europe. United Airlines and ANA codeshare with Vietjet on select routes, allowing through-ticketing and baggage transfer—search via airline websites rather than OTAs for best visibility.
- Consider flights from North America to Vietnam as a gateway to these new Chinese destinations, particularly if you’re planning multi-city itineraries across Southeast Asia and China.
Watch: Vietjet’s Q2 2026 schedule release will reveal whether COMAC C909 deliveries accelerate rollout to all five routes by the fourth quarter, potentially dropping fares 15–20% on medium-haul sectors.
Questions? Answers.
When will the remaining three Vietjet routes to China start operating?
Vietjet has not published exact start dates for Hanoi–Hangzhou, Hanoi–Huangshan, and Ho Chi Minh City–Huangshan, but the airline indicated launches will occur in the coming weeks. Check vietjetair.com for schedule updates and booking availability.
What is the COMAC C909, and how does it compare to Boeing and Airbus aircraft?
The COMAC C909 is a Chinese-built narrow-body jet designed for short to medium-haul routes, similar in size and range to the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. It seats approximately 180–220 passengers and has a range suitable for Vietnam–China sectors of 2–3 hours. The aircraft is newer to the market, with fewer operators than Western-built jets.
Will Vietjet’s new routes affect fares on existing Vietnam–China flights?
Yes—new route launches typically pressure fares downward on competing routes as airlines adjust pricing to fill seats. Vietjet’s entry into secondary Chinese cities like Enshi and Huangshan should undercut Vietnam Airlines fares by 30–40% based on historical patterns, while established routes like Hanoi–Beijing may see 10–15% fare compression as capacity increases.
Can I use frequent flyer miles to book these new Vietjet routes?
Vietjet is not part of a major airline alliance, so traditional frequent flyer programs like Star Alliance or Oneworld do not apply. However, Vietjet operates its own loyalty program, Skyboss, which allows members to earn and redeem points on flights. Check vietjetair.com for program details and eligibility.
