The new direct link offered by VietJet between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City is expected to turbocharge tourism and business ties between the Philippines and Vietnam, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.
The Vietnamese budget carrier launched its inaugural Manila-bound service on November 23, expanding fast-growing regional connectivity and tapping into surging intra-ASEAN travel demand.
DOT Secretary Christina Frasco called the route a timely boost as the Philippines sharpens its focus on high-potential Southeast Asian markets. “We are delighted to welcome VietJet’s new direct flight, as Vietnam is one of the region’s dynamic economies. As one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic outbound markets, Vietnam presents promising potential for tourism growth,” Frasco said.
VietJet now operates five weekly roundtrip flights on the Ho Chi Minh City–Manila route. Departures from Tan Son Nhat International Airport run every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with Manila arrivals the following morning. Return flights leave Manila on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, landing back in Ho Chi Minh City within the same morning cycle.
From January to November 30, 2025, the Philippines recorded 31,085 arrivals from Vietnam, representing a 0.60 percent market share. Though still a small segment, the DOT expects the numbers to rise as carriers add capacity and travelers seek short-haul international escapes.
The new service intensifies competition along the PH–Vietnam corridor, currently served by Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines, which operate direct flights from Manila and Cebu to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang. Industry watchers say more seats and increased frequency could lead to sharper fares—and spark a stronger travel boom across both markets.
