Vietnam-Philippines Tourism Soars, Enhanced Air Connectivity, Strategic Partnerships

Vietjet Air, a Vietnamese low-cost airline, announced plans to launch a Ho Chi Minh City-Cebu service soon during the Vietnam-Philippines Business Forum on June 1 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

Vietnam-Philippines Tourism Soars, Enhanced Air Connectivity, Strategic Partnerships

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | June 4, 2026  

MANILA, Philippines – Tourism ties between the Philippines and Vietnam are set for a significant boost with the introduction of new direct flights and a renewed strategic alliance between their national carriers. 

This expansion underscores both nations’ commitment to fostering greater economic and cultural exchange through increased travel.

Low-cost carrier Vietjet has announced a new direct route from Ho Chi Minh City to Cebu, commencing December 11, 2026. 

This service will operate five round-trip flights weekly, adding substantial capacity to the existing air links. This expansion builds on Vietjet’s current Ho Chi Minh-Manila route, which operates four times a week.

The announcement coincided with the Vietnam-Philippines Business Forum on June 1, where Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese President To Lam reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation and business engagement. 

President Marcos Jr. emphasized the shared goal: “With Vietnam and a rising number of Vietnamese tourists coming to our shores, we have agreed to work closely to enhance air connectivity and increase commercial flight frequencies.”

Further solidifying this commitment, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and Vietnam Airlines (VNA) signed a renewed two-year agreement. 

This partnership aims to accelerate tourism promotion and expand air connectivity, aligning with VNA’s 35th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh City-Philippines route and the 15th anniversary of its Hanoi-Philippines service.

Under this new accord, the two flag carriers will launch joint marketing campaigns featuring affordable flights and quality services for both local and international travelers. 

The agreement also provides a crucial platform for the Philippines to strengthen its tourism presence in Vietnam, with VNA supporting familiarization trips for media, travel agents, influencers, and key opinion leaders to promote diverse Philippine destinations.

These initiatives are underpinned by the enduring Agreement on Tourism Cooperation between the Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, initially signed in Hanoi on March 28, 1994, and effective until December 31, 2029.

Currently, Vietnam Airlines operates three direct routes: daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Manila, and flights from Hanoi to Cebu Sunday through Thursday. 

These routes collectively offer a weekly capacity of 2,608 seats. The addition of Vietjet’s new Cebu service will significantly enhance this capacity, facilitating even greater passenger flow.

The growing appeal of the Philippines to Vietnamese travelers is evident in recent statistics. As of May 2026, the Philippines welcomed 18,942 Vietnamese tourists, marking a robust 28.52% year-on-year growth.

In 2025, Vietnam ranked as the 23rd largest tourist source market for the Philippines, contributing 33,599 visitors, representing 0.57% of total arrivals. These new strategic efforts are poised to dramatically increase these figures, fostering deeper connections between these two ASEAN neighbors.

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