VietJet’s Ho Chi Minh-Manila flight to boost Phl connectivity: Frasco
‘The strengthened air links allow us to welcome more Vietnamese visitors to experience the warmth of Filipino hospitality and the beauty of the country.’
The inaugural Ho Chi Minh-Manila flight was greeted with a water cannon salute upon its arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Sunday, 23 November.
Photograph courtesy of DOT
The Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to expand the country’s air connectivity within Southeast Asia, as it officially welcomed VietJet Air’s inaugural direct service from Ho Chi Minh City to Manila last Sunday morning (23 November).
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco hailed the new route as a strategic win for Philippine tourism, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties with Vietnam, one of the region’s dynamic economies.
“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,” the DoT secretary 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.
Inaugural flight
The inaugural flight, which has a maximum seat capacity of 240 passengers, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at 2:50 a.m. with 213 passengers on board.
Its return flight departed Manila at 3:45 a.m., carrying 189 passengers bound for Ho Chi Minh City.
The DoT-National Capital Region welcomed the arriving passengers with a lei reception and cultural performances. VietJet executives led by director of Commercial Division Ha Nang Viet, assistant terminal manager Apolonio Mendoza, airport officials, Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025 Chelsea Fernandez, and representatives from the DoT office of Market Development also joined the reception.
VietJet now operates five weekly round-trip flights between the two countries: departures from Tan Son Nhat International Airport are set on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Manila the following morning.
Meanwhile, return flights leave Manila on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in Ho Chi Minh City within the same morning cycle.
Boosting air connectivity
The additional direct flight further supports the DoT’s strategy to grow the Philippines’ already rapidly increasing presence in the Vietnam outbound market. From January to 30 November 2025, the Philippines recorded 31,085 arrivals from Vietnam, with a total market share of 0.60 percent.