Within the framework of the Vietnam - Thailand Business Forum during the official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam, Vietnam Airlines announced the opening of the Ho Chi Minh City - Phuket direct flight route, and at the same time exchanged memorandums of understanding on cooperation with many leading Thai partners in the fields of tourism and aviation.
Accordingly, from July 2, 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate the direct route Ho Chi Minh City - Phuket by Airbus A321 aircraft with a frequency of 4 round trips per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, increasing the total number of flights between the two countries to 67 flights per week.
The new route not only contributes to meeting the increasing demand for tourism and resorts between Vietnam and Thailand, but also expands the connectivity of passengers through the Ho Chi Minh City transit center to Vietnam Airlines' wide network in Northeast Asia, Australia and Europe.
Putting Phuket into the international flight network continues to affirm Vietnam Airlines' strategy of expanding its presence in the Thai market, while effectively exploiting the growth potential of the ASEAN region.
In the field of tourism and destination promotion, Vietnam Airlines is implementing cooperation agreements with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Tourism Agents Association of Thailand and Saigontourist Group to promote tourism connectivity between the two countries through expanding direct flights, developing new tourism products and strengthening destination promotion.
The parties will coordinate to implement common brand communication campaigns, organize survey programs for travel businesses and the press, and strengthen market information sharing to improve the effectiveness of two-way tourism promotion.
These cooperations are expected to contribute to increasing the number of visitors between Vietnam and Thailand, expanding market size and promoting economic and cultural exchanges in the region.
In the field of infrastructure and aviation operations, Vietnam Airlines and Airports Corporation of Thailand have exchanged a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to improve operational efficiency and enhance passenger experience at key airports in Thailand.
The two sides will strengthen connectivity for connecting passengers in Bangkok, share real-time data on flight status and implement joint promotion programs to promote travel demand between the two countries.
Mr. Le Hong Ha - General Director of Vietnam Airlines - emphasized: "The opening of the Ho Chi Minh City - Phuket route and cooperation agreements with Thai partners continue to affirm Vietnam Airlines' long-term commitment to expanding the ecosystem in the Thai market. Not only strengthening aviation connectivity, the implemented cooperation also contributes to promoting tourism, trade and investment exchanges between Vietnam and Thailand, while opening up new growth potential for Vietnam Airlines in Southeast Asia".
Thailand is currently one of Vietnam Airlines' key markets in Southeast Asia.
From 1991 to April 2026, the airline has operated nearly 100,000 flights on routes connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang with Bangkok.
These figures continue to affirm the important role of the Thai market in Vietnam Airlines' strategy of expanding its international flight network and strengthening regional connectivity.
