First, What Is an Open-Jaw Trip?
Imagine this: you fly from Delhi to Tokyo, explore Japan, take a train or a short flight to Osaka, and then instead of flying back to Tokyo for your flight home, you fly directly from Osaka back to Delhi. That's a 'destination open-jaw' trip. An open-jaw itinerary
is a type of booking where you fly into one city and return from another. This approach saves you the time and expense of backtracking to your arrival city, allowing you to cover more ground and create a more efficient journey. You can book these using the 'multi-city' search function on most airline websites and travel portals.
The New Nonstop India-Japan Routes
Getting to Japan from India has seen a significant upgrade. Air India recently launched a new nonstop service between Mumbai and Tokyo's convenient Haneda Airport (HND) starting June 15, 2026. This four-times-a-week flight complements the airline's existing daily service from Delhi to Haneda, which itself has been recently upgraded. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo than Narita Airport, saving travellers precious time upon arrival. These direct links make Japan, from its bustling cities to its serene landscapes, a much more direct and appealing destination for a multi-country Asian tour.
Vietnam's Growing Accessibility from India
Vietnam has also become much easier to reach. Air India inaugurated a new nonstop route from Delhi to Hanoi on May 1, 2026, which operates five times a week. This service is a game-changer as it complements the airline's existing daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. With direct access to both the northern capital (Hanoi) and the southern hub (Ho Chi Minh City), travellers can now easily plan a comprehensive tour of Vietnam. This dual-gateway access is precisely what makes a seamless open-jaw trip possible.
Building Your India-Japan-Vietnam Itinerary
With these routes, a fantastic two-country itinerary becomes straightforward to plan. You could book a multi-city ticket flying from Mumbai to Tokyo. After exploring Japan, you can book a separate, often affordable, flight from a Japanese city like Osaka or Tokyo to Hanoi in Vietnam. Major carriers as well as budget airlines like VietJet Air operate routes between Japan and Vietnam. After travelling through Vietnam from north to south, you can then take your final flight home directly from Ho Chi Minh City back to Delhi or Mumbai. This structure avoids any backtracking and maximizes your time in each country.
Why This Kind of Trip Makes Sense
The primary benefit of an open-jaw trip is efficiency. You don’t waste a day of your vacation flying back to your point of entry just to return home. This approach allows you to experience two vastly different and rich cultures—the high-tech, traditional society of Japan and the vibrant, historical landscapes of Vietnam—in a single, seamless holiday. Financially, while requiring careful planning, booking a multi-city ticket can sometimes be more economical than two separate return trips. It allows you to invest your time and money into experiencing more of Asia.
Essential Planning and Visa Tips
Before you book, there are crucial details to manage. Indian passport holders require visas for both Japan and Vietnam, so be sure to apply for these well in advance of your travel dates. When planning the leg between Japan and Vietnam, research budget airlines as they can offer significant savings. Finally, when booking your main open-jaw ticket (e.g., Mumbai-Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City-Mumbai), use the 'multi-city' option on travel websites. It's a powerful tool that unlocks these efficient and exciting travel itineraries.
