Breaking News
Tracy
Tracy
Oct 13 2026
23Vietjet, which already flies between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, has officially launched new services connecting Hanoi with Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Prague, Czech Republic, as well as Almaty with Prague, expanding its intercontinental network and marking its entry into the European Union. The new air links offer more affordable travel options while fostering greater tourism, trade and cultural exchange between Asia and Europe.
For Sri Lanka, the new routes widen the network that Vietjet is building out of Colombo. The airline has operated non-stop flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City since August 2026, three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while its new Ho Chi Minh City to Maldives service via Colombo is scheduled to begin on 5 December 2026. With Hanoi now linked to Central Asia and Europe, Sri Lankan travellers have a growing choice of destinations reachable through Vietjet’s extensive network.
The inauguration ceremonies took place at Almaty International Airport and Václav Havel Airport Prague on 10 October, amid a warm welcome from local leaders, residents and visitors. The inaugural flights were greeted with traditional water cannon salutes and performances showcasing local cultural heritage, marking the beginning of new journeys connecting the three regions and welcoming international travellers to Vietnam. Passengers on the inaugural flights also received commemorative gifts from Vietjet and the airports, adding a special touch to their journeys.
The routes operate twice weekly, with round-trip services on Tuesdays and Saturdays, using modern Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. Passengers can choose Business and SkyBoss services, featuring attentive hospitality, a diverse culinary selection and an enhanced travel experience. Notably, Vietnamese citizens can visit Kazakhstan visa-free for stays of up to 30 days.
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, captivates visitors with its Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, historic squares and cultural heritage preserved over centuries. Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, is renowned for its spectacular natural landscapes, diverse culture and strategic position in Central Asia. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s capital Hanoi offers a distinctive immersion into Vietnamese culture and serves as a gateway for international travellers to discover Vietnam’s renowned cultural, historical and natural heritage.
Vietjet Chief Executive Officer Nguyen Thanh Son said: “The launch of these new routes marks an important milestone in our international network expansion. Vietjet will continue to expand its services to Europe, making travel between Europe, Australia and Asia more convenient. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Vietnam and bringing Vietnamese and international travellers closer to destinations rich in culture, heritage and unique experiences, while supporting the growth of trade and investment.”
On every Vietjet flight, passengers can also enjoy a selection of freshly prepared hot meals showcasing the best of Vietnamese and international cuisine, including pho, banh mi and Vietnamese iced milk coffee. These culinary offerings are served by a professional and dedicated cabin crew aboard modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. Vietjet also brings distinctive cultural and artistic performances to 10,000 metres, offering passengers special experiences on selected journeys and during special occasions.
*Flight schedule (local time)
l VJ031: Hanoi (HAN) 08:25 to Almaty (ALA) 12:50 / Almaty (ALA) 14:20 to Prague (PRG) 18:55
l VJ032: Prague (PRG) 20:55 to Almaty (ALA) 06:40 (+1) / Almaty (ALA) 08:10 to Hanoi (HAN) 16:20
Connecting time via Almaty is approximately 90 minutes.
Photo caption:
Photo 1: Vietjet launches inaugural flight from Hanoi to Almaty and Prague at Noi Bai International Airport
Photo 2, 3: Inaugural celebrations at Almaty International Airport mark the launch of new air connections via Central Asia.
Photo 4: Vietjet aircraft receives a ceremonial water salute upon arrival at Prague Airport.
Photo 5: Vietjet and Prague Airport leaders welcome passengers arriving on the inaugural flight to Prague.
Photo 6, 7: Inaugural celebrations for the new Prague to Almaty and Prague to Hanoi services mark an important milestone in Vietjet’s intercontinental network expansion.
Photo 8: Passengers on the inaugural flights receive commemorative gifts from Vietjet on their way to discovering new destinations
Photo 9: Vietjet welcomes passengers aboard its new services, inviting them to embark on inspiring journeys
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About Vietjet
The new-age carrier Vietjet has not only revolutionised the aviation industry in Vietnam but also been a pioneering airline across the region and around the world. With a focus on cost management ability, effective operations, and performance, applying the latest technology to all activities and leading the trend, Vietjet offers flying opportunities with cost-saving and flexible fares as well as diversified services to meet customers' demands.
Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. As Vietnam's largest private carrier, the airline has been awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars by the world's only safety and product rating website airlineratings.com and listed as one of the world's 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal in many consecutive years. The airline has also been named as Best Low-Cost Carrier by renowned organisations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airline Ratings, and many others.
Further information at www.vietjetair.com
