Travel

Vietjet Unveils Mega Sale Until June 7 including Manila–Ho Chi Minh City

Vietjet is rolling out one of its largest promotions of the year for Filipino travelers, making 12 million discounted seats available, including flights on the Manila–Ho Chi Minh City route. Running until 7 June 2026, the sale covers the airline’s extensive network of domestic destinations in Vietnam as well as its international routes.

The airline is also marking its ongoing global expansion with the launch of two new international services linking Hanoi to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Prague, Czech Republic. Both routes are set to begin operations on 10 October 2026.

The following promotional fares are available during the booking window:

• Eco-class fares from USD0 (*)on all Vietjet domestic Vietnam and international routes, including flights from the Philippines to Vietnam. Enter promo code SALE66 when booking. Applicable for travel between 5 September 2026 and 31 March 2027 (**). This is an ideal option for Filipinos looking to visit family, explore Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, or connect onward to destinations across Asia.
• 15% off Deluxe fares (*)on the new Hanoi–Prague and Hanoi–Almaty routes with the promo code HELLOVIETNAM. Applicable for travel between 10 October 2026 and 31 March 2027 (**). Filipinos travelling to Europe or Central Asia can connect through Hanoi, making Vietjet a competitive gateway for long-haul journeys.

For those planning summer travel, Vietjet’s Summer 2026 Sale covers travel between 1 June and 31 August 2026 (**), with the following discounts:

• 30% off Deluxe fares (*)with the promo code SALE66DLX
• 20% off SkyBoss and Business fares (*)with the promo code VJSALE20

Travellers who book Deluxe class enjoy up to 20kg of checked baggage allowance, leaving plenty of room for shopping and souvenirs along the way. Deluxe fares also include priority seat selection and free flight schedule changes, offering added flexibility and peace of mind.

Vietnam is a well-loved destination among Filipino travellers, offering short flight times, affordable living costs, and rich cultural experiences. From the street food of Ho Chi Minh City to the heritage town of Hoi An and the karst landscapes of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam continues to draw growing numbers of Filipinos each year. With Vietjet’s expanding network, Filipino passengers also gain access to seamless onward connections across Asia, and now to Europe and Central Asia via Hanoi.

Onboard, Vietjet delivers a contemporary travel experience, offering a selection of hot meals that feature both Vietnamese and international dishes, along with attentive in-flight service. Flights are operated using its modern, fuel-efficient aircraft fleet.

Tickets may be purchased through the Vietjet website at www.vietjetair.com, via the Vietjet Air mobile app, or through authorized ticketing offices and travel agents nationwide, including those in the Philippines.

(*) Excluding taxes and fees

(**) Travel periods vary by route. Blackout dates apply. Please refer to vietjetair.com for details.

(L-R) Atty. Collin Derk Isidto, Vice President for Legal, Vallacar Transit Inc.; Ronald Ian Galimba, Vice President for Supply and Logistics, Vallacar Transit Inc.; Francis O. Chua, Business Unit Head, 2GO Travel; and Laurence Albert Orante, Business Development Manager, 2GO Travel.

2GO, one of the Philippines’ leading sea travel providers, has entered a strategic partnership with Vallacar Transit, Inc., more commonly known for its Ceres Liner buses, to provide seamless shuttle services connecting sea and land transportation across key Philippine gateways.

Through the agreement, Ceres Liner will deploy dedicated shuttle buses to transport 2GO vessel passengers from their point of disembarkation at port terminals. Its first leg was launched from Nasipit Port to a Ceres Terminal in Butuan City, with Cebu and Cagayan de Oro to follow soon, improving end-to-end travel convenience and accessibility for local travelers.

2GO Travel passengers can easily reserve their seats onboard before disembarking, creating a seamless movement from pier to terminal while synchronizing Ceres shuttle operations. This integrated approach enables more efficient passenger movement, reduces waiting time, and ensures better alignment between vessel arrivals and land transfers.

“This partnership strengthens access for passengers traveling to and from nearby provinces, making it easier for more Filipinos to connect to key ports and continue their journeys across islands,” said Atty. Collin Derk Isidto, Vice President for Legal, Vallacar Transit Inc. “By improving connectivity between land and sea transport, we help enable more convenient and reliable inter-island travel.”

“We hope that through this collaboration, we enable not only regular travelers and groups, but also entrepreneurs and communities to access more destinations across the Philippines,” said Francis O. Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel. “This added convenience opens more opportunities for Filipinos to explore and connect across islands.”

This partnership reflects 2GO’s continued push to strengthen its logistics and travel ecosystem by connecting sea and land transport services. By integrating mobility solutions, the company aims to deliver a more seamless travel experience while expanding its role as a comprehensive transport and logistics provider.

The parties are also exploring additional ports and terminals as they look to further enhance connectivity nationwide.

Travelers bound for Butuan may visit the Front Office onboard for assistance with shuttle arrangements.

To learn more about this partnership, visit travel.2go.com.ph.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.

(From left) Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista of the Competitiveness and Innovation Group of the Department of Trade and Industry; Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona of the Regional Operations Group; Francis John Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel; and George Clayton Narag, Head of Product Development of 2GO Travel.

2GO, the country’s leading sea travel provider, has entered into a partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed at boosting the development of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This collaboration seeks to help MSMEs access broader markets by offering cost-effective sea transport for trade activities and by introducing OTOP Nooks on board 2GO Travel passenger vessels.

Under the agreement, DTI-endorsed MSMEs participating in official trade fairs can take advantage of specially discounted sea travel rates. Entrepreneurs are also granted up to 50 kilograms of baggage allowance, making it easier to transport various products across destinations. In addition, OTOP Nooks will be established on all 2GO Travel passenger ships, serving as onboard retail spaces where MSME products under the OTOP Philippines Program can be displayed and sold. This initiative not only opens new sales channels for locally made goods but also allows travelers to discover and purchase Filipino products while on board.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for MSMEs, noting that “this initiative strengthens the presence of proudly Filipino products beyond their home regions and enables MSMEs to reach more consumers nationwide, with sea travel supporting their growth and mobility.”

2GO will offer special discounted rates for DTI-endorsed MSMEs joining official trade fairs, along with exclusive travel and cargo support to streamline their participation.

Francis John Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel, shared that “this collaboration allows both established and aspiring MSMEs to tap into our sea travel network, and we hope that they take advantage of their 50kg baggage allowance that comes with every 2GO Travel ticket. This actually means that starting and growing your own business has never been easier. Now, you can carry the trade you want to sell with you, bring your products directly to passengers across key routes, and strengthen your visibility while maximizing our onboard retail platform.”

The first OTOP partnership between DTI Region XII and 2GO Travel was launched onboard MV 2GO Masinag. With the signing of this nationwide MOA, the initiative now expands to cover all 2GO Travel passenger vessels, further connecting local entrepreneurs to a broader customer base.

For questions about travel deals exclusively available to MSMEs, you may reach out via [email protected].

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.

Transportation was one of the many essential daily activities that Filipinos were denied as the pandemic brought the nation to a complete halt.

Every household’s ability to commute for necessities was severely restricted by the lack of public transportation brought on by social distancing, and many relied on biking as their lifeline.

Recognizing the urgency in supporting its customers and surrounding communities during the challenges of the pandemic, SM Supermalls strengthened the drive for Active Mobility across all of its malls nationwide. Since then, the mall leader has become a home and advocate for Active Mobility, remaining consistent in forging spaces that not only accommodate, but protect bikers.

Because of this effort, SM has won the trust and confidence of its stakeholders in advocating for sustainable travel, culminating in a record-breaking 34-win citation at the 2025 Mobility awards.

“What began as a heartfelt initiative to support bikers during COVID, has now become an integrated bike program spanning every single SM mall in the country,” said SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing, Joaquin San Agustin. “Active Mobility plays a crucial role not just in preserving the environment but in the enrichment of every Filipino. Thus, SM aims to continually foster the culture of biking across its properties by creating beloved places where movement is safe, easy, and inclusive for everyone.”

Active Mobility Advances Through Coaction

Through a collaboration between its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, SM Cares, its mall operations, and biking communities, SM continues to refine itself as a bike-friendly space championing maxed-out Active Mobility, cycling, and inclusive transport.

“It started with us setting up parking spots exclusive to bikes to ease access for cyclists picking up essentials in our malls. Then when the volume of cyclists picked up even as the lockdown eased, we knew we had to do more for them,” said Mina Kahn, SM Division Head and Assistant Vice President for Transportation Management.

For the mall leader, this meant improving transport access through sustainable means it could easily replicate across its properties nationwide. This involved carving out dedicated spaces equipped with essential tools to safeguard and repair bikes, protecting bikes from scratches with upcycled tires cushioning racks, the introduction of intuitive bike lanes for biker safety, and the promotion of the culture of cycling.

From there, bike-friendly features have become staples even in recent developments and renovations with plans to implement more secure bike parking, install more racks, and clearer cycling lanes around the malls. Cycling groups also found a conducive haven for activities at SM properties. Biking events were regularly encouraged and hosted, with surrounding tenants adjusting operating hours to accommodate cyclists, further promoting biking not just as a mode of transportation but as a lifestyle and sport one could enjoy.

This in turn earned SM a total of 34 accolades at the recent Mobility Awards: One Gold, 11 Silver and 22 bronze for nationwide mall efforts in promoting and protecting cycling as a culture across its properties.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also highlighted SM’s sustainable strategy as an example of its creativity, leadership, and sustained dedication to improving the safety and accessibility of active transportation for Filipinos. The SM Supermalls Sustainable Mobility and Bike-Friendly initiative was cited for Notable Development by the Private Sector, and its Pedal Power 2025 program was highlighted for this year’s Notable Advocacy initiative.

Banwa Private Island continues to refine its guest experience with the introduction of a purpose-built pickleball court. The addition reflects the growing global interest in racket sports and responds directly to guest demand.

With its arrival, Banwa will offer world-class facilities for both pickleball and tennis, further enhancing its land-based leisure portfolio. These sit alongside a dedicated table-tennis area and a carefully curated selection of sporting and wellbeing experiences.

Guests may also enjoy the island’s 9-hole short game golf course, as well as beach volleyball, basketball, and 5-a-side soccer.

For restoration and balance, yoga, Pilates, and massage therapies are available, seamlessly integrated into the island’s daily rhythm.

On the water, guests can enjoy Hobie Cat sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and fishing. The island’s fleet includes the Iguana, the only amphibious guest-experience vessel of its kind in Southeast Asia, providing access to signature experiences such as sandbank sundowners and sunset river cruises.

Banwa also offers scuba diving and snorkelling, supported by highly experienced dive masters, with nearby reefs providing excellent visibility and marine life. A short boat journey further opens access to tropical hiking trails and elevated viewpoints.

Together, these experiences reflect Banwa’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class guest activities.

https://banw-zcmp.maillist-manage.eu/click/12912c82cd7057cb/12912c82cd704398

For further information please visit, www.banwaprivateisland.com