The Philippines marked another milestone in regional tourism connectivity as the Department of Tourism (DOT) officially welcomed VietJet Air’s inaugural direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Manila on Sunday morning, November 23.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco described the new route as a strategic boost to the country’s international gateways, noting that deeper connectivity with Vietnam strengthens both economic and tourism ties within Southeast Asia.
“We are delighted to welcome VietJet’s new direct flight, as this development aligns with the Marcos administration’s thrust to expand international connectivity and position the Philippines as a primary tourism hub in Asia,” Frasco said.
Calling Vietnam one of the region’s fastest-growing outbound tourism markets, Frasco added that enhanced air links open greater opportunities for travelers to experience Filipino hospitality and explore the country’s diverse destinations.
The inaugural flight landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at 2:50 a.m., carrying 213 of its 240-seat capacity. On its return leg, the flight departed Manila at 3:45 a.m. with 189 passengers headed back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Arriving guests were greeted by DOT–National Capital Region with a lei ceremony and cultural performances. The welcome reception brought together VietJet executives led by Director of Commercial Division Ha Nang Viet, Assistant Terminal Manager Apolonio Mendoza, DOT market development officials, airport representatives, and Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025 Chelsea Fernandez.
VietJet will now operate five weekly roundtrip flights between the two countries. Departures from Ho Chi Minh City are scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, arriving in Manila the next morning. Manila-bound return flights operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Strengthening regional air access
The new service reinforces the DOT’s ongoing efforts to expand connectivity in priority markets. From January to November 30, 2025, the Philippines welcomed 31,085 visitors from Vietnam, holding a 0.60% share of total arrivals.
Philippine gateways are now linked to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang through multiple carriers including Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines—reflecting a growing network of travel bridges between the two nations.
The Ho Chi Minh–Manila route adds to a rapidly expanding lineup of new international services to the Philippines, including Air India’s New Delhi–Manila flights, new routes to Australia (Manila–Perth, Cebu–Brisbane), and recently launched long-haul connections from Canada, Paris, and key US cities.
“As an archipelagic nation with 7,641 islands, over 99 percent of our international tourism relies on air travel,” Frasco noted. “This is why enhancing air connectivity is essential. The easier it is to reach our shores, the more we can unlock the full potential of Philippine tourism.”