The Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to widen the country’s air access across Southeast Asia as it officially welcomed VietJet Air’s inaugural direct service from Ho Chi Minh City to Manila early Sunday morning (23 November).

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco hailed the new route as a strategic step forward, emphasizing its role in strengthening ties with Vietnam—one of the region’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets.

“We are delighted to welcome VietJet’s new direct flight, as this development aligns with the Marcos administration’s thrust to expand international connectivity and position the Philippines as a primary tourism hub in Asia,” Secretary Frasco said.

“As one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic outbound markets, Vietnam presents promising potential for tourism growth. The strengthened air links allow us to welcome more Vietnamese visitors to experience the warmth of Filipino hospitality and the beauty of our destinations,” she added.

The inaugural flight, with a maximum capacity of 240 passengers, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at 2:50 a.m. carrying 213 passengers. Its return flight departed Manila at 3:45 a.m. with 189 passengers bound for Ho Chi Minh City.

DOT-National Capital Region welcomed the passengers with a lei reception and cultural performances. VietJet executives led by Director of Commercial Division Ha Nang Viet, Assistant Terminal Manager Apolonio Mendoza, Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025 Chelsea Fernandez, airport officials, and representatives from the DOT Office of Market Development also attended the ceremony.

VietJet will operate five weekly roundtrip flights between the two countries. Departures from Tan Son Nhat International Airport are scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, arriving in Manila the following morning. Return flights leave Manila every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

Boosting air connectivity

The DOT said the additional direct route strengthens the Philippines’ growing presence in the Vietnam outbound market. From January to November 30, 2025, the Philippines logged 31,085 arrivals from Vietnam, representing a 0.60% market share.

Manila and Cebu are currently connected to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.

The new Ho Chi Minh–Manila route adds to the expanding roster of direct international services into the Philippines, including Air India’s New Delhi–Manila flights, recently launched routes to Australia such as Manila–Perth and Cebu–Brisbane, and additional direct flights from Canada, Paris, and multiple U.S. cities.

“As an archipelagic nation with 7,641 islands, over 99% of Philippine international tourism is dependent on air travel. That is how important air connectivity is for us, and that is also why we continue to strengthen our air connectivity with multiple countries so that tourists have easier access and seamless travel,” Secretary Frasco said.