Airline overview
Vietnam Airlines is the national carrier of Vietnam, headquartered in the capital, Hanoi. Its IATA two-letter code is VN, ICAO three-letter code HVN, and radio callsign VIET NAM AIRLINES. The official website is vietnamairlines.com and the cargo website is cargo.vietnamairlines.com.
In January 1956 the Vietnamese government established a civil aviation administration, marking the birth of Vietnamese civil aviation, and the first domestic flight followed in September that year. In April 1993 Vietnam Airlines was formally established; in May 1995 twenty aviation service companies were consolidated around it into Vietnam Airlines Corporation, forming a group covering transport, maintenance, ground handling and catering.
Vietnam Airlines works from Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) as its main hub and Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) as its second hub, operating Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9/787-10 widebodies and A321 narrowbodies alongside ATR-72 regional aircraft. It joined SkyTeam in 2010 and, through codeshares with alliance members and bilateral partners, extends its network to more than 190 routes.
For Chinese shippers Vietnam Airlines flies nonstop from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and its widebodies provide steady belly capacity on long-haul routes from Vietnam to Europe, Japan, Korea and Australia. China and Vietnam are important trading partners, and belly space is an efficient channel for small and medium lots of time-critical cargo between the two markets.
On fundamentals, China is an important trading partner for Vietnam, with bilateral trade dominated by machinery and electrical goods, electronic components, textile raw materials and consumer goods, and Vietnamese manufacturing and consumers increasingly depend on air transit times. Air cargo on the China-Vietnam lane is mostly higher-value freight, and Vietnam Airlines belly capacity with steady schedules at Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou gives such cargo a predictable rhythm.
Company history
Global fleet composition
According to Vietnam Airlines' published information and its 2025 annual report, the group operates about 102 aircraft: 31 widebodies (14 A350-900 and 17 Boeing 787), 65 narrowbodies (A321 and A320 families) and 6 regional aircraft (ATR-72). Cargo moves mainly in passenger belly holds.
| Aircraft type | Fleet role | Freight characteristics | Suitable China cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A350-900 | Long-haul widebody mainstay | Flown on Vietnam to Europe and trans-Pacific routes; the belly takes ULDs and provides long-haul belly capacity | Consolidated cargo from China via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Europe and North America |
| Boeing 787-9 / 787-10 | Long-haul widebody fleet | Flown on European, north-east Asian and trans-Pacific routes; steady belly volume, suited to ULDs and loose cargo | Belly cargo from China to Vietnam connecting to Europe, Japan and Korea |
| Airbus A321 family | Main narrowbody type | The A321 belly takes up to 10 LD3-46W containers, with a maximum load of about 11.5 tonnes and about 39 cubic metres, on Chinese and regional routes | Routine loose cargo, express and small to medium lots from China to Vietnam and South-East Asia |
| ATR-72 | Regional aircraft type | Flown on Vietnamese domestic and short regional routes; limited belly space, used for regional connections | Small-lot connecting cargo within Vietnam and to neighboring countries |
According to the Vietnam Airlines cargo website, the A321 belly is optimised for 10 AKH/PKC pallets plus loose cargo, with a maximum load of 11.5 tonnes and 39 cubic metres. Widebody bellies take ULDs, suited to full pallet shipments. Fleet numbers and mix follow management decisions; the carrier's latest published information prevails.
In cargo terms, Vietnam Airlines deploys widebodies mainly on north-east Asian, European and trans-Pacific long-haul routes and narrowbodies mainly on Chinese, South-East Asian and domestic routes. Chinese export cargo reaching Vietnam can therefore connect to a widebody long-haul flight, while the China-Vietnam sector relies on the steady A321 schedule, and the two types together form a complete belly capacity chain.
Business model
Vietnam Airlines builds its cargo product on passenger belly capacity, supported by a ground trucking network and hub transit resources, covering general and special cargo. Shippers and forwarders can choose how to obtain capacity according to volume and cargo type.
Widebody and narrowbody belly cargo
A350 and 787 widebodies provide ULD space on long-haul routes, and A321 aircraft provide loose and small-lot space on Chinese routes, with capacity moving to a steady schedule.
Special cargo services
Vietnam Airlines Cargo offers product lines for general cargo, perishables, live animals, dangerous goods, wet cargo, fragile items and express, covering the loading and ground handling needs of different cargo types.
Dual-hub transit
The Hanoi Noi Bai and Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat hubs connect toward Asia, Europe and Australia, so cargo entering Vietnam can connect to long-haul belly capacity.
Trucking network
Truck extension services are offered at main gateways in Europe (Paris, Frankfurt, London and others), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and others) and Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and others), covering cities without a direct flight.
Points served in China
Vietnam Airlines flies nonstop from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Vietnam. According to its 2026 schedule information, all three points connect to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The main Chinese points follow.
Beijing (Capital International Airport PEK)
Main north China point, nonstop to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam Airlines has a cargo office at Beijing Capital International Airport serving northern cargo.
Shanghai (Pudong International Airport PVG)
Main east China point, nonstop to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the belly channel for Yangtze River Delta machinery and e-commerce exports.
Guangzhou (Baiyun International Airport CAN)
Main south China point, nonstop to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with dense Pearl River Delta cargo and suited to belly carriage of perishables, electronics and consumer goods.
Schedules and aircraft on Chinese points follow the seasonal plan and the carrier's published information on the day of booking. The China-Vietnam sector is flown mainly by A321 narrowbodies with widebodies on some frequencies, and capacity covers both loose cargo and ULDs.
By origin, northern cargo is mainly machinery and vehicle parts, eastern cargo electronics, textile raw materials and cross-border e-commerce, and southern cargo perishables, electronic components and consumer goods. Shippers can use the nearest point to shorten inland transport, and all three fly nonstop to the Vietnamese hubs, giving nationwide cargo a balanced choice of gateway.
China to Vietnam and worldwide
With Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as dual hubs, Vietnam Airlines connects Chinese export cargo with the Vietnamese market and worldwide destinations. The main cargo directions follow.
Cargo reaching Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City can connect to the long-haul network: Paris, Frankfurt and London for Europe, Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul for north-east Asia, Sydney and Melbourne for Australia, and Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur for South-East Asia. The Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco trans-Pacific route is flown by widebodies and gives a supplementary path for China-US cargo via Vietnam.
Cargo types suited to China exports
Given the structure of Chinese exports to Vietnam and the demands of the Vietnamese market, the following categories suit carriage on Vietnam Airlines.
Mechanical and electrical products and parts
Construction machinery, electrical equipment and components in moderate lots suit A321 loose space or widebody ULD carriage.
Electronic components and communications equipment
Integrated circuits, phone parts and communications equipment: Vietnam is a global electronics manufacturing center, and such high-value cargo suits belly carriage.
Textile raw materials and apparel
Fabrics, yarn and finished garments: Vietnam's textile and apparel industry has strong demand, and belly space gives a steady link between factories and markets.
Perishables and cold chain cargo
Fruit, vegetables, aquatic products and processed foods between China and Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines offers a perishable product line, and the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City cargo terminals have cold chain capability.
Auto parts and chemicals
Vehicle parts and chemicals declared under IATA DGR can use the dangerous goods and general cargo product lines, with compliant loading on passenger aircraft.
Cross-border e-commerce cargo
E-commerce parcels for Vietnam and South-East Asia: flight frequency at the Guangzhou and Shanghai points provides a steady channel.
Core freight capabilities
Vietnam Airlines Cargo works around belly carriage and supports the following steps, covering the flow from loading in China to distribution in the destination market.
Transit at the two hubs
Both Hanoi Noi Bai and Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat have cargo terminals covering northern and southern Vietnam, so Chinese cargo can enter at the hub nearest its destination and cut transit time.
Widebody belly capacity
A350-900 and 787-9/787-10 widebodies offer ULD space on long-haul routes, and A321 aircraft offer loose space on Chinese and regional routes, so capacity types are flexible.
Special cargo handling
Perishables, live animals, dangerous goods, wet cargo and fragile items all have product lines and loading plans, with ground handling following IATA standards.
European and regional trucking network
Truck extension services at main gateways in Europe, Australia and Japan cover cities without a direct flight and widen final delivery reach.
SkyTeam network
As a SkyTeam member it can connect to other members' routes through alliance cooperation, widening transit options and capacity choice.
Maintenance and ground support
VAECO, part of the group, is one of Vietnam's leading aircraft maintenance companies and supports fleet operations, with ground services provided by group companies.
Cargo terminal capability
The cargo terminals at Hanoi Noi Bai and Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat provide acceptance, build-up, screening and loading, organising loose and ULD work to IATA standards and supporting ground handling of perishables, dangerous goods and other special cargo.
Booking path from China
A Chinese shipper can book Vietnam Airlines belly space or truck extension service through the following steps.
Requirement confirmation
Confirm cargo category, total weight, total volume, packing form and final destination, and whether perishable, dangerous goods or transit requirements apply.
Capacity enquiry
Check flights and connections from the Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou points for the destination, and confirm the rate, capacity type and cut-off time.
Booking and handover
Book through us with the carrier, deliver the cargo to the nominated gateway warehouse, complete export clearance and loading, and connect at Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Transport and tracking
Track the flight throughout and, on arrival in Vietnam or at the final destination, connect to clearance, truck extension and distribution.
Booking Vietnam Airlines from China
Departing Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou nonstop to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with connections to Europe, Japan, Korea and Australia, and belly and special cargo plans available. Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited provides booking, consolidation, export clearance and transit coordination.
Visit the Goodhope Freight website (goodhope86.com)Network: from China to the world
The diagram shows Chinese export cargo departing Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and connecting through the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City hubs to markets in Europe, north-east Asia, Australia and South-East Asia.
Decision guide for Chinese shippers
There are many routing choices for exports from China to Vietnam and for transit through Vietnam, and Vietnam Airlines has clear value in the following situations.
Direct China-Vietnam trade
China is an important trading partner for Vietnam, with bilateral trade covering machinery, electronics, textiles and consumer goods, and nonstop flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City give time-critical cargo a direct channel.
Serving the Vietnamese market
Vietnamese manufacturing and consumer markets are growing fast, and electronics assembly, textiles and apparel and cross-border e-commerce depend on air transit, with belly carriage suited to small and medium lots of higher-value cargo.
Transit through Vietnam as a supplement
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City connect to Europe, Japan, Korea and Australia, so cargo transiting Vietnam gains extra options on space and timing beyond nonstop services.
Perishable and special cargo channel
Vietnam Airlines has product lines for perishables, dangerous goods and live animals, so fruit, vegetables, aquatic products and special cargo can be carried under the appropriate plan, with cold chain handling at both hub terminals.
Capacity advice for Chinese shippers
Shippers whose destination is the Vietnamese market can use Guangzhou or Shanghai first, where flight choice is wider and space more ample; shippers bound for Europe or Australia can compare total transit and rate between nonstop and Vietnam transit options. Small time-critical lots suit A321 loose space, while larger volumes with a clear destination can be assessed for widebody ULD or full pallet plans.
Our capability on Vietnam Airlines
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited handles air freight from China to South-East Asia and worldwide. For Vietnam Airlines capacity we provide the following services that Chinese shippers can use directly.
Belly booking and rate confirmation
We help Chinese shippers check Vietnam Airlines flights and rates from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, lock loose or ULD space, and confirm cut-off and loading arrangements.
Cargo consolidation at China ports and customs declaration
Chinese shippers can deliver to major gateways; we handle consolidation, export declaration and the capacity handover, and organize departure around the flight schedule.
Transit connections at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
We arrange the transit connection at the Vietnamese hubs, coordinating onward flights and ground handling so that cargo reaches European, Japanese or Australian markets as planned.
Cold chain and special cargo coordination
For perishables, dangerous goods and live animals we confirm the carrier's loading plan, document requirements and ground handling arrangements.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which Chinese cities does Vietnam Airlines serve?
According to its schedule information the airline flies nonstop from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; specific schedules follow the published information on the day of booking.
What are Vietnam Airlines' IATA and ICAO codes?
IATA two-letter code VN, ICAO three-letter code HVN, radio callsign VIET NAM AIRLINES. The official website is vietnamairlines.com.
What aircraft does Vietnam Airlines operate?
Airbus A350-900, Boeing 787-9/787-10, the A321 family and ATR-72, with a group fleet of about 102 aircraft.
Which Chinese exports suit Vietnam Airlines?
Machinery and electrical products, electronic components, textile raw materials, perishables and cold chain cargo, vehicle parts, chemicals and cross-border e-commerce goods in small and medium lots with tight deadlines.
Which markets do the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City hubs connect to?
Paris, Frankfurt and London in Europe, Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul in north-east Asia, and Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.
Does Vietnam Airlines offer truck extension service?
Vietnam Airlines offers trucking at main gateways in Europe (Paris, Frankfurt, London and others), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and others) and Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and others).
How is cargo booked on Vietnam Airlines?
Through us: we check flights and rates and book, and handle consolidation, export clearance, Vietnam transit and arrival tracking.
How much cargo does the A321 belly hold?
According to the Vietnam Airlines cargo website, the A321 belly takes up to 10 LD3-46W containers, with a maximum load of about 11.5 tonnes and about 39 cubic metres.
Disclaimer
Information here is for reference only and does not constitute a contract of carriage or a commercial commitment. Vietnam Airlines route schedules, fleet configuration and cargo capability may change with management decisions without notice; times are local, and actual schedules and rates rest on confirmation by the carrier or the relevant body on the day of booking.
Contact details
For details of air freight from China to Vietnam, South-East Asia and worldwide, or for help booking Vietnam Airlines, contact:
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight)
Official website: goodhope86.com
Trademark notice
Vietnam Airlines, VN, HVN, VIET NAM AIRLINES and related marks are registered trademarks of Vietnam Airlines JSC or its affiliates. The names are used here for description only and do not imply any agency, partnership or affiliation between the company publishing The material and Vietnam Airlines. Other airline names and trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners.