Vietnam Airlines announced the new route on 8/5 at the Vietnam - Sri Lanka Cooperation Forum, witnessed by General Secretary and President To Lam.

The national flag carrier will operate the Ho Chi Minh City - Colombo direct route with three round-trip flights weekly. An Airbus A321 aircraft will serve the route. Colombo is Sri Lanka's capital and economic hub.

Flights from Ho Chi Minh City will depart on wednesday, friday, and sunday. Return flights from Colombo will operate on monday, thursday, and saturday. This marks the first direct air link between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

General Secretary and President To Lam and delegates at the announcement ceremony for the direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo. *Photo: Vietnam Airlines*

Sri Lanka is currently Vietnam's third largest passenger market in South Asia. Last year, the number of travelers between the two nations exceeded 38,000, a 17,5% increase compared to 2024. The first quarter of 2026 alone saw a passenger increase of over 136%.

This direct route is expected to boost trade, tourism, and exchanges between the business communities of both countries. Without direct flights, travelers between Vietnam and Sri Lanka currently must transit through regional hubs, extending travel times.

General Secretary and President To Lam is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka from 7-8/5, at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The two sides have agreed to upgrade Vietnam - Sri Lanka relations to a Comprehensive Partnership. They committed to further strengthening friendly cooperation, establishing high-level political trust, and broadening the scope and depth of comprehensive, substantive cooperation across all sectors.

Anh Tu