Vietnam Airlines to Launch Ho Chi Minh City-Colombo Direct Flights
Vietnam Airlines will introduce direct services between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo, Sri Lanka, beginning October 2026. This new route marks the carrier's first direct air link to Sri Lanka, aiming to enhance trade and tourism between the two nations.
New Direct Air Service Commences in October 2026
Vietnam Airlines will launch direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Colombo, Sri Lanka. The new service is set to commence operations in October 2026. The airline plans to operate three weekly round trips using Airbus A321 aircraft. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City will depart on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Return services from Colombo are scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The carrier announced this development at a trade, investment, and tourism cooperation forum held in Colombo on May 8 this year. This forum occurred during Vietnam President To Lam’s state visit to Sri Lanka.
Expanding South Asian Connectivity
This new route establishes Vietnam Airlines’ first direct air connection to Sri Lanka. It expands the airline's network within the South Asian region. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of Vietnam Airlines’ Board of Directors, stated the Colombo route represents a significant step in aviation cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
He added that it will narrow geographical distance and facilitate increased trade, investment, and tourism exchanges. The direct link also strengthens overall connectivity between Vietnam and South Asia. Passengers from Sri Lanka will gain easier access to Vietnam Airlines’ broader network across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Australia via its Ho Chi Minh City transit hub.
Responding to Rising Passenger Demand
The introduction of direct flights addresses a growing travel demand between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka currently ranks as Vietnam’s third-largest passenger market within South Asia. Passenger traffic between the two countries surpassed 38,000 in 2025, showing a 17.5% year-on-year increase.
This growth accelerated significantly in the first quarter of this year, recording an increase of over 136%. Currently, travellers between Vietnam and Sri Lanka must transit through regional hubs. This necessity results in longer travel times for passengers.
Strategic Partnerships to Boost Tourism
Vietnam Airlines has also signed several cooperation agreements with Sri Lankan partners to develop the market and promote tourism. These agreements involve the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, and the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka.
Collaborations will focus on destination promotion, organising roadshows, developing package tours, and expanding sales networks. The goal is to boost visitor exchanges between the two nations. Additionally, Vietnam Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Harleys Group, its general sales and service agent in Sri Lanka. This MoU aims to strengthen market development and commercial support for the new direct route.
Get The Post.
The global travel stories that matter, three mornings a week. Free.
