Within the framework of the Vietnam - Sri Lanka Trade - Investment - Tourism Cooperation Forum held in Colombo during the State visit to Sri Lanka by General Secretary and President To Lam, Vietnam Airlines officially announced the opening of a direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo in the presence of senior leaders of the two countries.
Accordingly, from October 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate the direct route Ho Chi Minh City - Colombo by Airbus A321 aircraft with a frequency of 3 round trips per week.
Flights depart from Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; the return flight from Colombo on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The new air route is expected to meet the needs of travel, tourism and trade between the two countries.
Through the Ho Chi Minh City transit center, passengers from Sri Lanka can access Vietnam Airlines' widespread flight network to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Australia and many other destinations.
The event marks the first time Vietnam has a direct flight route to Sri Lanka, opening a new step in the national airline's international flight network development strategy, especially in South Asia - a potentially rich and rapidly growing market.
This is also a specific effort of Vietnam Airlines in expanding new aviation connections, contributing to promoting economic, trade, tourism exchanges and realizing Vietnam's policy of international integration.
The establishment of direct flights takes place in the context of positive growth in travel demand between Vietnam and Sri Lanka but without direct connection.
Sri Lanka is currently the third largest passenger market of Vietnam in South Asia.
In 2025, the number of visitors between the two countries reached more than 38 thousand, an increase of 17.5% compared to the previous year. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the market recorded an increase of more than 136%.
Currently, passengers between the two countries have to connect through centers in the region, causing travel time to be prolonged.
The new route not only helps shorten travel time and improve the experience for passengers, but also opens up opportunities for deeper connectivity between Vietnam and South Asia.
In the context of Sri Lanka becoming an increasingly attractive destination in South Asia, the establishment of direct flights is expected to strongly promote two-way passenger exchange.
With advantages in diverse nature, unique culture, rich cuisine and increasingly developed resort systems, Vietnam is expected to attract more tourists from Sri Lanka as well as South Asian countries to explore and experience.
At the same time, the air route also creates motivation to expand trade, tourism and exchange cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, said: "Opening the route to Colombo is an important step in aviation cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, contributing to shortening geographical distances, creating more favorable conditions for trade, investment and tourism exchange between the two countries. The new route is expected to strongly promote two-way passenger traffic, while strengthening connectivity between Vietnam and South Asia.
On this occasion, Vietnam Airlines also signed many cooperation memorandums with partners in Sri Lanka to develop the market, promote tourism and increase passenger traffic.
Vietnam Airlines and Saigontourist Group have signed a cooperation agreement with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Agency, the Sri Lanka Tourism Operators Association and the Sri Lanka Tourism Agents Association.
The agreements focus on promoting destinations, organizing roadshows, developing package tourism products, expanding sales networks and implementing promotional programs to increase tourist exchange between the two countries.
Vietnam Airlines also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with Harleys Group, the airline's General Agent for ticket sales and services in Sri Lanka, to strengthen coordination in exploiting the market, developing a distribution system and supporting commercial operations for the route.
The announcement of the Ho Chi Minh City - Colombo direct flight route continues to expand Vietnam Airlines' international flight network, while affirming the role of the National Airlines in concretizing the orientation of Resolution No. 59 of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation.
Through this, Vietnam Airlines strengthens connectivity between Vietnam and South Asia, bringing more convenient choices for passengers, while contributing to promoting economic, cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries.
