Travelers looking for direct flights between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳 have long faced limited options. As of August 2025, no US-based airline operates nonstop flights between the two countries. However, this is about to change, with United Airlines set to begin service to Ho Chi Minh City later this year, marking a major shift in transpacific travel.
Current Flight Options Between the United States and Vietnam
Right now, Vietnam Airlines is the only carrier offering direct, nonstop flights between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳. The airline runs four flights per week between San Francisco (SFO) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). These flights have become the main choice for travelers who want to avoid layovers in other countries. All other travel between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳 requires at least one stop, usually with a foreign airline or through a codeshare arrangement.
Upcoming Changes: United Airlines Enters the Market
United Airlines has announced it will launch flights to Ho Chi Minh City starting October 26, 2025. This move makes United Airlines the first US carrier to serve Vietnam 🇻🇳 since the two countries normalized relations. The new service will operate daily from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City, connecting with United’s existing transpacific network from the United States 🇺🇸. While this is not a nonstop flight from the US mainland, it gives travelers a new one-stop option on a US airline, which is a significant step forward.
No other US airline, including Delta or American, has announced plans to start direct or nonstop flights to Vietnam 🇻🇳 as of August 2025. Vietnam Airlines continues to be the only airline offering direct service between the two countries.
Why Haven’t US Airlines Flown Directly to Vietnam?
Several reasons have kept US airlines from operating direct flights to Vietnam 🇻🇳, even though demand has grown:
- Bilateral Aviation Agreements: The United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳 only signed a full air services agreement in 2019. Before this, legal barriers made it hard for airlines to start direct flights.
- FAA Category 1 Rating: Vietnam 🇻🇳 received the FAA’s top safety rating in 2019, which allowed Vietnamese airlines to fly to the United States 🇺🇸. However, US airlines still needed to go through route approvals and market studies.
- Market Viability: US airlines have worried about whether direct flights would make enough money. The long distance between the two countries means flights are expensive to run, and many travelers already use Asian airlines that offer one-stop service through their hubs.
- Operational Complexity: Flying nonstop from the United States 🇺🇸 to Vietnam 🇻🇳 is a huge task. For example, the SFO–SGN route is about 8,000 miles and takes over 15 hours. This requires special aircraft and large crews, which increases costs.
Vietnam Airlines’ Role and Service Expansion
Vietnam Airlines made history in November 2021 by launching the first-ever regular nonstop service between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳. The airline uses modern long-haul planes and has kept the route running steadily, now offering four flights per week. Vietnam Airlines has also expanded its international network, but it remains the only airline with direct US–Vietnam service.
What Does United Airlines’ New Service Mean for Travelers?
Starting October 26, 2025, United Airlines will offer daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City via Hong Kong. This gives US travelers a new way to reach Vietnam 🇻🇳 using a US airline for the entire journey, even though it’s not a nonstop flight. For many, this option will be more convenient and may offer better connections with United’s large US network.
Current Choices for US–Vietnam Travel
- Nonstop Option: Vietnam Airlines’ SFO–SGN route, four times weekly.
- One-Stop Options: Many Asian and Middle Eastern airlines offer one-stop service to Vietnam 🇻🇳 through their hubs. These include Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, EVA Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific.
- Upcoming United Airlines Service: Daily flights from the United States 🇺🇸 to Ho Chi Minh City via Hong Kong, starting October 26, 2025.
Fares and Schedules
Vietnam Airlines’ nonstop flights between San Francisco and Ho Chi Minh City usually cost around $1,178 for economy class and $3,067 for business class. United Airlines’ new connecting service is expected to have business class roundtrip fares from major US cities to Ho Chi Minh City ranging from $4,942 to $7,279 for late 2025. Prices may change based on demand and travel dates.
| Airline | Class | Fare | Fare Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines | Economy | $1,178 | N/A |
| Vietnam Airlines | Business | $3,067 | N/A |
| United Airlines | Business | N/A | $4,942 – $7,279 |
Statements from Key Stakeholders
United Airlines’ leaders have said that expanding into Southeast Asia is a strategic move. They point to strong demand for travel between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳, both for business and tourism. Vietnam Airlines continues to highlight its role as the only airline with direct US–Vietnam service and says it is committed to growing its transpacific flights.
The US Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have not reported any new regulatory barriers. The market is now open for US airlines to operate flights to Vietnam 🇻🇳.
Expert Analysis: Why Now?
Aviation experts say the US–Vietnam market is growing quickly. More people are traveling for business, family visits, and tourism. However, the cost of running these long flights is high, and US airlines face tough competition from Asian carriers that already have strong networks in the region.
United Airlines’ new service is seen as a test of the market. If it does well, other US airlines may consider starting their own direct or nonstop flights to Vietnam 🇻🇳 in the future. This could happen if demand keeps rising and airlines find ways to lower costs.
Background: The Path to Direct Flights
For many years, travelers between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳 had to rely on connecting flights through other countries. The lack of a full air services agreement and safety approvals kept US airlines out of the market. Vietnam Airlines’ entry in 2021 changed this, offering a direct link for the first time.
The 2019 agreement between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳, along with the FAA’s Category 1 rating for Vietnam 🇻🇳, opened the door for more flights. However, US airlines still needed to study the market and figure out if they could make these long routes work financially.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Families?
For Vietnamese Americans and others with family in Vietnam 🇻🇳, direct flights make it much easier to visit loved ones. The new United Airlines service will give more choices and may lead to better prices and schedules in the future. Business travelers will also benefit from more options and potentially shorter travel times.
Practical Tips for Booking US–Vietnam Flights
- Check Schedules: Vietnam Airlines offers four nonstop flights per week between San Francisco and Ho Chi Minh City. United Airlines will start daily service via Hong Kong in October 2025.
- Compare Fares: Prices can vary a lot, so check both Vietnam Airlines and United Airlines, as well as other carriers with one-stop service.
- Plan Ahead: Nonstop flights often fill up quickly, especially during holidays and peak travel seasons.
- Consider Connections: If you don’t live near San Francisco, United Airlines’ new service may offer easier connections from other US cities.
Summary Table: US–Vietnam Air Service (as of August 2, 2025)
| Airline | Route | Type | Start Date | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines | SFO–SGN | Nonstop | Nov 2021 (ongoing) | 4x weekly | Only nonstop US–Vietnam service |
| United Airlines | US–HKG–SGN (via Hong Kong) | One-stop | Oct 26, 2025 | Daily | First US airline to serve Vietnam |
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for US–Vietnam Air Travel?
| Country/Type | Visa Category | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| USA/Vietnam | Vietnam Airlines Nonstop Service | November 2021 (ongoing), 4 flights per week |
| USA/Vietnam | United Airlines Service | October 26, 2025, Daily flights |
| USA/Vietnam | Bilateral Aviation Agreement | 2019 |
| USA/Vietnam | FAA Category 1 Rating | 2019 |
The launch of United Airlines’ service to Ho Chi Minh City is a big step for US–Vietnam air travel. It shows that the market is opening up and that airlines see growing demand. If United’s flights do well, other US airlines may follow, possibly leading to nonstop flights from more US cities in the future.
Travelers, especially those with family ties or business interests in Vietnam 🇻🇳, should watch for new announcements and expanded service. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the opening of this market could bring more competition, better fares, and more choices for everyone.
For official updates on air travel agreements and safety ratings, travelers can visit the US Department of Transportation website, which provides the latest information on international aviation policies.
Key Takeaways
- Vietnam Airlines is still the only airline offering nonstop flights between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳.
- United Airlines will start daily service to Ho Chi Minh City via Hong Kong on October 26, 2025, becoming the first US airline to serve Vietnam 🇻🇳 in decades.
- The market is now open for US airlines, and more options may become available as demand grows.
- Travelers should compare schedules and fares, plan ahead, and stay informed about new routes and services.
With these changes, the future of US–Vietnam air travel looks brighter, offering more choices and convenience for travelers on both sides of the Pacific.
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