Manila: Vietnam's low-cost carrier VietJet Air will soon launch direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Manila as Vietnam and the Philippines agree to enhance two-way tourism. Speaking at the Vietnam-Philippines Business Forum in Manila, Vietnamese President To Lam expressed his expectations that the new route will strengthen not only travel exchanges but also trade and investments between the two nations.
According to Philippines News Agency, the announcement of the upcoming flights coincided with the Vietnamese leader's state visit to the Philippines. During this visit, both countries announced the elevation of bilateral relations to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership. Specific details about the new flights were not provided at the time of the announcement.
Department of Tourism data indicates that Vietnam ranks 23rd as a tourist source market for the Philippines, contributing 33,599 visitors, which accounts for approximately 0.57 percent of total arrivals last year. In 2025, VietJet launched the Ho Chi Minh-Manila route with five round-trip flights per week. Vietnam Airlines is currently operating three direct routes connecting Vietnam and the Philippines, including daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to Manila, and flights from Hanoi to Cebu operating from Sunday to Thursday.
These routes provide a combined weekly seat capacity of 2,608 seats, highlighting the strengthened tourism and connectivity ties between the two neighboring ASEAN countries. Before the route announcement, the two governments signed the bilateral Tourism Cooperation Program covering 2026 to 2029. This program aims to increase tourism exchanges and facilitate increased flight frequencies.
Under the agreement, Vietnam and the Philippines will develop joint promotional activities and market the two states under a 'one package tour.' The two countries will also explore ways to increase engagement in areas such as travel facilitation, research and development, tourism management and operation, human resource capacity building, and sustainable and regenerative tourism, among others.
