HCMC – A direct air route between HCMC and Colombo is scheduled to begin operations in October 2026 with three round-trip flights per week, helping shorten travel time between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
The new direct route linking HCMC and Colombo, operated by Vietnam Airlines, was announced at the Sri Lanka -Vietnam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum held in Colombo on May 8, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
Starting in October 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate three weekly round-trip flights between HCMC and Colombo using Airbus A321 aircraft.
Flights from HCMC will depart on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with return flights from Colombo on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
This will mark the first direct air connection between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, amid rising demand for travel, tourism and trade between the two countries in recent years.
Sri Lanka is currently Vietnam’s third largest source market in South Asia. In 2025, passenger traffic between the two countries exceeded 38,000 travelers, up 17.5% from the previous year. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the market recorded growth of more than 136%.
At present, most passengers traveling between Vietnam and Sri Lanka must transit through regional aviation hubs, resulting in longer travel times.
The launch of the direct route is expected to boost two-way passenger traffic while strengthening trade and tourism links between Vietnam and South Asia.
