Vietjet Air announces direct flights from Colombo to Ho Chi Minh City commencing mid August 

Vietjet announces its Ho Chi Minh City – Colombo direct route, in the presence of General Secretary and President of Vietnam To Lam (center) and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Harini Amarasuriya (second from right)

Vietnamese new-age hybrid airline Vietjet Air officially announced its first direct flight service connecting Colombo and  Ho Chi Minh City during the Sri Lanka – Vietnam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum held in Colombo last week.

The route’s launch was announced in the presence of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and senior government officials from both nations. Expected to commence commercial operations in August 2026, the new service will feature four round-trip flights per week between the two destinations.

This inaugural direct service comes at a time of growing economic cooperation between the two nations, providing a timely boost to bilateral ties. In 2025, Sri Lanka exported US$  40.09 million worth of goods to Vietnam, marking a 30.61 percent increase from the previous year, while imports from Vietnam stood at US$ 238.81 million. Investment is also expanding, with Sri Lanka currently operating 34 active investment projects worth roughly US$ 43 million in Vietnam, predominantly in the processing and manufacturing sectors. Conversely, Vietnamese firms are showing an increasing interest in Sri Lanka’s logistics, infrastructure, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors. To further support this momentum, a recent memorandum of understanding on trade promotion was signed between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board to help businesses connect.

The enhanced air connectivity is anticipated to stimulate tourist flows between the two countries, complementing Sri Lanka’s robust tourism rebound. 

First Vice Chairman of Vietjet Dinh Viet Phuong noted that the route opens a new air connection that will promote cooperation corridors in trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange across South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. Ho Chi Minh City serves as Vietnam’s leading economic and tourism hub, offering a dynamic gateway to discover historic architecture, bustling markets, and renowned street food. 

For local passengers, the service promises affordable fares and seamless connectivity to major Asia-Pacific markets, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China, through Vietjet’s extensive network.

As Vietnam’s largest private carrier, Vietjet continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening regional air connectivity through a young, modern fleet and innovative services. The airline currently operates 135 wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, with an order book of nearly 600 additional aircraft to support its long-term growth across international markets. 

Vietjet focuses heavily on cost management and technological application to offer passengers cost-saving and flexible fares. Furthermore, the airline is a fully-fledged member of the International Air Transport Association with an IATA Operational Safety Audit certificate, and it has consistently received top safety and operational awards from global aviation organisations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airfinance Journal, and Airline Ratings.