Vietnam’s national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has officially announced the launch of direct flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, marking a major milestone in strengthening tourism, trade, investment, and connectivity between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

The announcement was made during the Vietnam –Sri Lanka Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum held in Colombo, in the presence of His Excellency Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, alongside senior government officials and business leaders from both countries.

Scheduled to commence in October 2026, the new direct service will operate three weekly flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City using Airbus A321 aircraft. The route is expected to significantly enhance travel convenience for passengers while opening up new opportunities for tourism, business travel, trade, and cargo movement between the two countries.

Through Ho Chi Minh City, Sri Lankan travellers will gain seamless access to Vietnam Airlines’ extensive international network across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Australia, and other global destinations.

Prior to the occasion of the route launch, Vietnam Airlines and Saigontourist Group signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Hayleys Group, the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL), and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) to strengthen tourism promotion, destination marketing, and visitor exchanges between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines is represented by the Hayleys Group as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Sri Lanka.

Đặng Ngọc Hòa, Chairman of Vietnam Airlines, stated:

“The launch of the HCM City–Colombo route marks an important milestone in aviation cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. By enhancing direct connectivity, the new service will facilitate trade, investment, and tourism activities, while strengthening Vietnam’s links with South Asia and supporting the continued growth of bilateral passenger traffic.”

The launch of the direct route represents the first nonstop air connection between Sri Lanka and Vietnam and is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations while supporting continued growth in tourism, trade, and commerce between the two nations.