VietJet Air plans to launch direct flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City in the fourth quarter of 2026, giving the Philippines its first nonstop air link between Cebu and Vietnam’s commercial capital and strengthening tourism, trade, and investment flows between the two Southeast Asian economies.
The new route was announced during the Vietnam–Philippines Business Forum in Manila, held in conjunction with the state visit of Vietnamese leader Tô Lâm. The event brought together government and business leaders, including VietJet Air Vice Chairman Nguyen Thanh Hung and Cosette V. Canilao, president and chief executive officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital.
The service will connect two of the region’s fastest-growing tourism and business hubs, eliminating the need for connecting flights and cutting travel time for passengers traveling between central Philippines and southern Vietnam.
Canilao said the new route reflects rising demand for travel between Cebu and Vietnam and is expected to support tourism growth, business exchanges, and cross-border investment opportunities.
The planned launch builds on strong demand generated by VietJet’s charter flights between Da Nang and Cebu, which helped demonstrate the market potential of direct air services between the two destinations.
The new route is a win for Aboitiz InfraCapital. The operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport has been working to expand Cebu’s international connectivity and attract more foreign visitors.
The new service also advances MCIA’s “Ceb Connects” strategy, which aims to position Cebu as the country’s premier tourism gateway and transfer hub, linking international travelers to destinations across the Philippine archipelago while strengthening the island’s role in regional economic growth.
