Operated by Israel’s Arkia Airlines, the Tel Aviv–Hanoi air service represents the first nonstop flight between Vietnam and Israel. The launch is seen as an important step toward deepening bilateral ties amid growing integration and cooperation.

The inaugural flight, IZ595, departed Tel Aviv at 00:05 local time and arrived at Noi Bai Airport at 16:30 the same day, after approximately 11.5 hours in the air. On board were representatives of Israeli travel companies and media organisations, visiting Vietnam to explore tourism opportunities.

Under the initial plan, Arkia Airlines will operate one direct flight per week using a wide-body aircraft with a capacity of around 290 passengers. The return flight will depart Hanoi at 7:40 p.m. and arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv at 2:25 a.m. the following morning, after nearly 12 hours of flight time.

The new route significantly reduces travel time and eliminates the need for transit through a third country. From Tel Aviv, Vietnamese passengers can easily connect to destinations across the Middle East and Europe, while Hanoi is expected to become a key gateway for Israeli travelers exploring Southeast Asia.

Speaking at the ceremony, Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer highlighted the strategic importance of the route, noting that it not only shortens geographical distance but also strengthens people-to-people exchanges and opens new opportunities for cooperation in tourism, trade, investment, and innovation.

Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, said the direct route is anticipated to strongly boost two-way tourism, particularly Israeli arrivals to Vietnam. Vietnam aims to welcome around 300,000 Israeli tourists annually by 2030, with an average length of stay of about 15 days.

Meital Dahan Mizrah, Arkia Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer, emphasised that the Hanoi route is part of the airline’s broader strategy to expand its presence in Asia and reflects the strong growth potential of the Vietnamese market for Israeli tourists and businesses.

The launch coincided with the largest-ever delegation of Israeli travel companies visiting Vietnam, seeking opportunities to develop specialized tourism products tailored to Israeli travelers. At the same time, Israel is expected to attract more Vietnamese tourists, drawn to destinations such as the Tel Aviv–Jaffa coastline, the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, the Dead Sea, and the ancient city of Jerusalem.

The direct air route is the result of years of preparation and cooperation, particularly following the 2020 protocol amending the bilateral air transport agreement and the signing of the Vietnam–Israel Free Trade Agreement in 2023. The new connection is set to further boost bilateral trade, as both sides aim to exceed US$4 billion in trade turnover by 2026.

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