Ho Chi Minh City–Colombo Market Heats Up as Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Launch August Services

Direct competition between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo is set to intensify as both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet launch services in August 2026. Each carrier plans three weekly round trips, giving Sri Lanka a much stronger nonstop link with Vietnam and broadening access between Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Vietnam Airlines is scheduled to start on August 16 with Airbus A321 aircraft. Ho Chi Minh City departures are planned for Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while Colombo departures will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It will be the flag carrier’s first Sri Lanka route, brought forward from the original timetable after stronger market signals.

Vietjet will begin service on August 18, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Its published schedule has the outbound flight leaving Tan Son Nhat at 18:15 and reaching Colombo at 21:50 local time. The return departs at 23:00 and lands in Ho Chi Minh City at 05:55 the following morning, a pattern that may suit some connecting itineraries.

Because the two airlines do not operate on exactly the same set of days, travelers gain more nonstop choices across the week rather than simply seeing two carriers compete for the same departure window. Connections through Ho Chi Minh City may also create new options for passengers originating in Australia, Japan, Taiwan or Indonesia.

When comparing the services, travelers should look beyond the base fare and check the total price, baggage allowance, change conditions and connection time. Two new nonstop options in the same month could stimulate tourism, family visits and trade while strengthening Ho Chi Minh City’s role as a connecting point between Southeast and South Asia.