Vietjet introduces direct flights connecting Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City

Vietjet has unveiled a new direct route connecting Cebu, one of the Philippines’ key economic and tourism centers, with Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest commercial hub, further strengthening the airline’s presence in the Philippine market.

Set to launch on December 11, 2026, the service will operate five round-trip flights weekly, doubling Vietjet’s overall seat capacity between the Philippines and Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and economic powerhouse, accounting for a significant share of the country’s trade, investment, and business activity. As Vietjet’s primary hub, the city offers onward connections to destinations across Vietnam and key international markets including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, Cebu serves as a gateway to the Visayas and some of the Philippines’ most popular destinations including Bohol and Siargao.

Announced at the Vietnam–Philippines Business Forum¹ on June 1 during the state visit of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam to the Philippines, the new route comes as both countries strengthen tourism and economic ties. During the forum, the Philippines and Vietnam signed a Tourism Cooperation Program for 2026 to 2029 to support tourism growth and enhance air connectivity between the two countries.

Tourism demand between the two countries continues to gain momentum. During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam welcomed 236,000 visitors from the Philippines, representing a 73.4% year-on-year increase and placing the Philippines among Vietnam’s top ten international source markets for the first time. Over the same period, visitor arrivals from Vietnam to the Philippines grew 35.3%² year-on-year according to the Department of Tourism, reflecting growing travel demand in both directions. Bilateral trade reached USD7.8 billion in 2025, according to Vietnam’s official statistics, with the two countries targeting USD10 billion in trade volume in the coming years.

Building on the successful introduction of its Manila–Ho Chi Minh City route in late 2025, Vietjet’s new Cebu service reinforces the airline’s growing footprint in the Philippines and highlights its continued commitment to the market. Backed by a workforce of over 100 Filipino professionals—including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and managers—the airline aims to further enhance connectivity between the Philippines and Vietnam while providing travelers with greater access to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.

Since 2019, Vietjet has operated five routes connecting the two countries, linking key Philippine cities such as Manila, Davao, and Cebu with Vietnamese destinations including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. These routes have played an important role in boosting tourism, trade, investment, logistics, and cultural exchanges between two of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

Further information at www.vietjetair.com