Vietnam Airlines to launch Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket air service in April
VOV.VN - National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines is expected to launch a direct air route between Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket, Thailand, starting April 2, further expanding its regional network in Southeast Asia and offering travelers a more convenient connection between the two popular destinations.
According to the airline, the route will operate five flights per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays using Airbus A321s.
Flight VN621 will depart Ho Chi Minh City at 4:00 p.m. and arrive in Phuket at 5:50 p.m. The return flight, VN620, will leave Phuket at 6:45 p.m. and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 8:55 p.m. The direct connection is set to shorten travel time while enhancing tourism, trade, and exchange between Vietnam and Thailand.
Le Hong Ha, CEO of Vietnam Airlines, said the new route is part of the carrier’s strategy to expand its international network in Southeast Asia and meet rising travel demand between Vietnam and Thailand.
“Vietnam Airlines believes the new route will further promote tourism, trade and cooperation between the two destinations, and at the same time provide passengers with more convenient travel options and international-standard service,” Ha said.
Phuket is among Asia’s most popular resort destinations, known for its beaches, developed tourism infrastructure, and diverse leisure activities. Ho Chi Minh City, meanwhile, is Vietnam’s largest economic and commercial hub and a key gateway connecting the country with the region and the world.
The launch of the Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket route reflects Vietnam Airlines’ continued efforts to expand its international flight network and strengthen Vietnam’s connectivity with regional and global destinations.
In 2025, the airline restored and launched 14 international routes, gradually expanding connections to major economic and tourism hubs worldwide.
Earlier, Vietnam Airlines also announced plans to open a direct air route between Hanoi and Amsterdam in Netherlands starting in June 2026, marking the first-ever direct air link between Vietnam and the Netherlands.
The expansion of international routes is expected to promote tourism, economic exchanges, and international cooperation, and to enhance Vietnam’s global connectivity through aviation.
Vietnam Airlines plans to continue launching additional international routes in 2026 to meet rising travel demand and further expand Vietnam’s global air network.