Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Launch Direct Flights to Colombo

Two major Vietnamese carriers established direct air links between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo within a single week in August 2026. Vietnam Airlines began service on August 16, operating three weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Bandaranaike International Airport.

Shortly after, Vietjet launched its own direct route between the same cities. This service also operates three round-trip flights per week, scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. While reports differ on whether the inaugural Vietjet flight arrived on Tuesday or Wednesday, the airline's schedule includes departures from Ho Chi Minh City at 6:15 pm and returns from Colombo at 11:00 pm.

Both airlines intend for these routes to facilitate increased tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. Vietnam Airlines provides passengers with connections to destinations including Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, while Vietjet offers links to its broader network across the Asia-Pacific region and Australia. Advantis - Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Hayleys PLC, serves as the General Sales Agent for Vietnam Airlines in Sri Lanka.