Flights from Moscow to Vietnam: Prices, Routes & Travel Tips

Vietnam stopped being an exotic destination for Russian travelers long ago. Warm weather year-round, affordable prices on the ground, incredible cuisine and a stunning variety of landscapes — from mountain terraces to pristine white-sand beaches — make this country one of Asia's most popular destinations. If you're planning a trip and looking for flights from Moscow to Vietnam, this article will help you make sense of the routes, prices, seasons and the key details of the journey.

The distance from Moscow to Vietnam is roughly 7,500–8,000 km depending on your arrival city. The flight takes 9 to 13 hours direct and 14 to 24 hours with a layover. The main arrival airports are Noi Bai in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City. To quickly compare your options and find the best price, it's convenient to use Wallex Guru, which aggregates offers from different airlines.

Direct and Connecting Flights from Moscow to Vietnam

Choosing between a direct flight and a connecting one is the first decision every traveler faces. Let's look at both options.

Direct flights

Direct flights from Moscow to Vietnam mainly serve two routes:

• Moscow (Sheremetyevo) — Hanoi (Noi Bai): operated by Vietnam Airlines and Aeroflot. Flight time is around 9–10 hours. The return Hanoi–Moscow route takes about the same.
• Moscow — Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat): direct flights are less frequent and most often offered by charter carriers during the winter season.
• Moscow — Cam Ranh (Nha Trang) and Moscow — Phu Quoc: seasonal charter flights, especially popular from November through March.

The cost of direct round-trip flights from Moscow to Vietnam averages between 45,000 and 75,000 rubles depending on the season and how far in advance you book. During peak periods (New Year, the May holidays) prices can reach 90,000–120,000 rubles.

Connecting flights

Connecting flights are often cheaper and offer more flexibility on dates. Popular connections include:

• Via Beijing or Guangzhou (China Southern, Air China) — layover of 2–5 hours, total travel time 14–18 hours. Often the most budget-friendly option: Moscow–Vietnam flights with a layover in China can be found from 35,000 rubles round-trip.
• Via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) — layover of 3–6 hours, total time 16–20 hours. Prices from 40,000 rubles.
• Via Dubai or Abu Dhabi (Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai) — layover of 3–8 hours, total time 16–22 hours. Prices from 42,000 rubles.
• Via Doha (Qatar Airways) — layover of 2–4 hours, total time 15–19 hours. Prices from 40,000 rubles.
• Via Seoul (Korean Air) — a convenient option for those who want to combine two countries in one trip.

Tip: when searching for tickets on Wallex Guru, use the filters for number of stops and maximum layover time — this will help you strike the right balance between price and comfort.

Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Where to Fly

Vietnam is a long, narrow country, and its two main cities sit almost 1,700 km apart. Your choice of arrival airport depends directly on your plans.

Hanoi (Northern Vietnam)

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the gateway to exploring the northern part of the country. Noi Bai Airport (HAN) is located 25 km from the city center. This is where most direct flights from Moscow land, which is why the Hanoi–Moscow route is the most in-demand.

What's near Hanoi:

• Ha Long Bay (170 km) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its limestone karsts rising from emerald water
• Sapa (320 km) — a mountain resort with rice terraces and ethnic-minority villages
• Ninh Binh (95 km) — the "Ha Long Bay on land," with scenic karst landscapes
• Hanoi itself — the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and world-class street food

Ho Chi Minh City (Southern Vietnam)

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is the country's largest city and economic hub. Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) sits right within the city limits, making it convenient for reaching the southern resorts.

What's near Ho Chi Minh City:

• Mui Ne and Phan Thiet (200 km) — beach getaways, kitesurfing and the famous sand dunes
• The Mekong Delta (70–150 km) — floating markets, fruit orchards and authentic life on the water
• Da Lat (300 km) — a cool-climate mountain town with flower valleys and waterfalls
• Vung Tau (125 km) — the nearest beach town for a quick getaway

How to choose

If your goal is a beach holiday in Nha Trang or on Phu Quoc, consider the direct charters to Cam Ranh or Phu Quoc. The easiest way to compare all flight options is through Wallex Guru — the service shows flights to every airport in Vietnam from a single search page.

Seasons and Prices for Flights from Moscow to Vietnam

Understanding the seasonality is the key to saving on your flight. Prices for Moscow–Vietnam flights depend heavily on the time of year, holidays and even the day of the week you depart.

High season (November — February)

This is the most popular time to travel: southern and central Vietnam enjoy comfortable, dry weather, and Russian tourists head south "for the warmth" in droves. Flight prices peak during this period:

• Direct flights: 60,000–90,000 ₽ (round-trip)
• With a layover: 45,000–70,000 ₽
• New Year dates (December 20 — January 10): from 80,000 to 130,000 ₽

For the high season, it's best to book 2–3 months before departure.

Shoulder season (March — May, September — October)

An excellent time to travel: fewer tourists, lower prices, and comfortable weather in most regions. Moscow–Vietnam flights during this period cost:

• Direct flights: 45,000–65,000 ₽
• With a layover: 35,000–50,000 ₽

March and April are especially good for central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue).

Low season (June — August)

Summer is the rainy season across most of Vietnam, though the showers are usually short and don't spoil a holiday. The upside is the lowest flight prices:

• Direct flights: 40,000–55,000 ₽
• With a layover: 30,000–42,000 ₽

Important: southern Vietnam (Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne) gets less rainfall in June–August than the central region and stays comfortable for a holiday.

Money-saving tips

1. Flexible dates — flying out on a Tuesday or Wednesday can save you up to 15–20% compared with weekends
2. Book early — the best prices are often available 6–8 weeks before departure
3. Track prices — on Wallex Guru you can sign up for alerts when prices drop on the route you're interested in
4. Open dates — if exact dates aren't essential, use the price calendar to pick the cheapest days
5. Combined routes — sometimes it's cheaper to fly into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa), especially if you plan to travel around the country

Airlines on the Moscow — Vietnam Route

Both Russian and foreign carriers offer flights from Moscow to Vietnam. Here are the main ones:

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam's national carrier and the main operator of direct Hanoi–Moscow flights. The airline is part of the SkyTeam alliance, so you can earn miles. Onboard service includes hot meals, alcoholic drinks, an entertainment system and a 23 kg baggage allowance. Flights are operated on Boeing 787 Dreamliners — modern wide-body aircraft with comfortable cabins.

Aeroflot

Russia's flagship carrier also operates direct flights from Sheremetyevo to Hanoi. Its advantages include the Aeroflot Bonus loyalty program, a Russian-speaking crew and the option to connect with domestic flights from Russia's regions.

S7 Airlines

S7 periodically launches flights to Vietnamese cities, especially from Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. For Muscovites, flying via an S7 hub may be an interesting option.

Foreign carriers

• Turkish Airlines — a convenient connection in Istanbul, excellent service and competitive prices
• Qatar Airways — premium service with a connection in Doha
• China Southern / Air China — the most budget-friendly options via Guangzhou or Beijing
• Emirates — a connection in Dubai, with the option of a stopover (a 1–2 day stay)
• Korean Air — a connection in Seoul, with a high level of service

Vietnam Visa for Russian Citizens

Before booking your flights from Moscow to Vietnam, it's important to sort out the visa question. The good news: the visa rules for Russian citizens are fairly lenient.

Visa-free entry

Russian citizens may stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa (a rule in effect since August 2023). To qualify, you'll need:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
• A return ticket or a ticket to a third country
• Proof of accommodation (a hotel booking)

Important: the 45 days are counted from the date of entry. If you plan to stay longer, you'll need a visa.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

For stays of 45 to 90 days, you can apply for an electronic visa:

• Cost: 25 USD (consular fee)
• Processing time: 3–5 business days
• Validity: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
• Application: through the official website of Vietnam's Immigration Department

Practical tips

• Print your e-Visa in advance — at the border you may be asked for a paper copy
• Make sure your passport has at least 2 blank pages for stamps
• With visa-free entry, there's no limit on how many times you can re-enter visa-free
• Phu Quoc has a separate visa-free regime of up to 30 days, even for countries that normally need a visa

What to See in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country you'll want to return to. Here are the top places worth booking flights from Moscow to Vietnam for.

Ha Long Bay

Vietnam's signature sight — around 2,000 limestone islands rising above the emerald water of the Gulf of Tonkin. The best way to see the bay is on a two-day junk cruise (from 5,000–8,000 ₽ per person), which includes accommodation, meals, kayaking and cave visits. You can get there from Hanoi in 3–4 hours by bus or 1.5 hours by speedboat from Tuan Chau port.

Hoi An

An ancient trading town whose entire center is a UNESCO site. Narrow streets lined with yellow houses, hundreds of lanterns glowing in the evening, and some of the country's best restaurants. Hoi An is renowned for its tailors — here you can have a suit or dress made to measure overnight for 3,000–7,000 ₽. The nearest airport is Da Nang (30 minutes by taxi).

Nha Trang

Vietnam's main beach resort for Russian-speaking tourists. A long city promenade, warm sea, cheap seafood, mud baths and islands with amusement parks (Vinpearl). In the winter season you can find charter flights from Moscow to Cam Ranh Airport (40 minutes from Nha Trang).

Da Lat

A mountain resort at 1,500 m altitude — Vietnam's "Little France." A cool climate (15–25 °C year-round), pine forests, waterfalls, strawberry farms and cozy cafés serving local coffee. Da Lat is the perfect break from the beach heat. You can get there from Ho Chi Minh City (300 km, a 1-hour domestic flight) or from Nha Trang (140 km, 3 hours by bus).

Phu Quoc

Vietnam's largest island, in the Gulf of Thailand. Pristine white beaches, crystal-clear water, the VinWonders amusement park, a safari park and fishing villages. Phu Quoc is developing rapidly and already has an international airport. In winter there are sometimes direct charters from Moscow — search Wallex Guru to compare prices.

Mui Ne

A small resort village between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang. It's famous for its sand dunes (both white and red), constant wind (a paradise for kitesurfers) and laid-back atmosphere. You can get there from Ho Chi Minh City in 4–5 hours by bus.

Sapa

A mountainous region in the north, near the Chinese border. Rice terraces, colorful Hmong villages and trekking with overnight stays in homestays. The best time to visit is September–October (golden rice fields) or March–May (green terraces). The night train from Hanoi is an adventure in itself.

Useful Tips Before You Fly

To make your trip go smoothly, keep a few practical points in mind:

Currency and payments. The local currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). 1 ruble is roughly equal to 280–300 VND. Exchanging rubles directly in Vietnam is difficult — it's better to bring US dollars or euros. Bank cards are accepted at larger establishments, but cash is still important for street food, markets and small cafés.

Domestic flights. Getting around between Vietnamese cities is easy with the low-cost carriers VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways. The Hanoi — Ho Chi Minh City flight takes 2 hours and costs from 2,000 to 5,000 ₽. You can also search for tickets through Wallex Guru.

Connectivity. At Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports you can buy SIM cards from local operators (Viettel, Mobifone) for 150–300 ₽, with unlimited internet for 30 days.

Transport. The most popular way to get around is by scooter (rental from 200 ₽/day). Comfortable sleeper buses run between cities — lying in a berth, you can cover 500 km overnight and save on a hotel.

Food. The average bill at a street café is 100–200 ₽, and at a restaurant 400–800 ₽. Be sure to try pho (noodle soup), banh mi (a Vietnamese filled baguette), spring rolls, bun cha (noodles with grilled pork) and Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.

Health. No special vaccinations are required for Vietnam, but travel health insurance is recommended. Sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a first-aid kit with basic medicines are an essential minimum.

How to Find Cheap Flights from Moscow to Vietnam

Let's wrap up with a step-by-step guide to finding a good-value flight:

1. Decide on your dates and arrival city — Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang or Phu Quoc. If your dates are flexible, use the price calendar.
2. Compare offers — open Wallex Guru and enter your route. The service will show direct flights and connecting options from all available airlines.
3. Check nearby dates — shifting your departure by 1–2 days can save you up to 20%.
4. Consider open-jaw routes — flying into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) lets you see more and sometimes costs less.
5. Book in advance — the optimal purchase window is 6–10 weeks before departure.
6. Watch for promotions — Vietnam Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways regularly run sales on Asian destinations.

The Hanoi–Moscow route and back is one of the most affordable ways to reach Southeast Asia. With a smart approach to choosing dates and airlines, the flight won't break the bank, and the experiences Vietnam offers will more than repay every ruble you spend. Start your flight search right now on Wallex Guru and discover one of Asia's most amazing countries.