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Vietnam Airlines officially announced the opening of a direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo (Sri Lanka). Download General Secretary and President To Lam and delegates performed a ceremony to announce the opening of a direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo. Within the framework of the Vietnam - Sri Lanka Trade - Investment - Tourism Cooperation Forum taking place in Colombo on the occasion of the State visit to Sri Lanka of 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 January From October 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City - Colombo using Airbus A321 aircraft with a frequency of 3 round trips per week. Flights depart from Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; return from Colombo on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The new 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 extensive flight network to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Australia and many other destinations. The event marks the first time Vietnam has a direct flight to Sri Lanka, opening a new step in the National Airlines international flight network development strategy, especially in the South Asia region - a market rich in potential and growing rapidly. This is also a specific effort of Vietnam Airlines in expanding new aviation connections, contributing to promoting economic, trade, and tourism exchanges and realizing Vietnams international integration policy. Download Vietnam Airlines strengthens the connection between Vietnam and the South Asian region, providing more convenient options for passengers, while contributing to promoting economic, cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries. The establishment of direct flights takes place in the context of positive growth in travel demand between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, but there is no direct connection. Sri Lanka is currently the market with the third largest passenger capacity of Vietnam in the South Asia region. In 2025, the number of visitors between the two countries will reach 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 via regional hubs, causing longer travel times. The new route not only helps shorten travel time and improve passenger experience, but also opens up opportunities for deeper connection between Vietnam and the South Asian region. 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 tourist exchange. With the advantage of diverse nature, unique culture, rich cuisine and an ever-growing resort system, 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 flight also creates motivation to expand trade cooperation, tourism and exchanges between the two countries business communities. Download Vietnam Airlines presented the minutes of cooperation with partners in Sri Lanka in the presence of General Secretary and President To Lam. Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, said: Opening a flight to Colombo is an important step in aviation cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, contributing to shortening the geographical distance, 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, At the same time, strengthening the connection between Vietnam and the South Asian region. On this occasion, Vietnam Airlines also signed many cooperation memorandums with partners in Sri Lanka to develop the market, promote tourism and increase tourist traffic. Specifically, Vietnam Airlines and Saigontourist Group signed a cooperation agreement with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Association of Tour Operators and the Sri Lanka Association of Travel Agents. The agreements focus on destination promotion, organizing roadshows, developing package travel products, expanding sales networks and implementing promotional programs to increase tourist exchange between the two countries. Vietnam Airlines also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Harleys Group, the airlines general agent for ticket sales and services in Sri Lanka, to enhance coordination in market exploitation, develop distribution systems and support commercial activities for the route. The announcement of direct flights. Ho Chi Minh City - Colombo 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. Thereby, Vietnam Airlines strengthens the connection between Vietnam and the South Asian region, providing more convenient options for passengers, while contributing to promoting economic, cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries.PTTSee moreVietnam Airlines expands global flight network, contributing to integrationSee moreVietnam Airlines invests 50 mBoeing 737-8 aircraft worth more than 8 billion USD. See moreVietnam Airlines announces 140 tourism promotion programs in 2026
