Vietnam emerges as rising tourism star for Philippine travelers
VOV.VN - Vietnam is increasingly being seen as an attractive destination for Philippine travelers, with expanded direct air links expected to further boost visitor numbers to what qa.philstar.com has described as a rising tourism star in Southeast Asia.
The Philippine newswire reported that low-cost airline AirAsia Philippines will begin operating weekly direct flights from Manila to Hanoi and Da Nang starting March 20, 2026, marking the airline’s expansion into one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic travel markets.
Vietnam is becoming a dream destination for millions of travelers, particularly Filipinos, who are finding the Southeast Asian country attractive for its combination of budget-friendly pricing and cultural heritage.
According to the newswire, this is the reason AirAsia Philippines has chosen to add Vietnam to its international network. It will be linking Manila with Hanoi and Da Nang on a four times weekly schedule, with flights set in the afternoon-to-evening time slots for passenger convenience.
With the launch of its new services to Hanoi and Da Nang, AirAsia Philippines will enter direct competition with other Philippine carriers already operating on these routes, including Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, both of which offer regular direct flights from Manila to the two Vietnamese cities.
AirAsia Philippines president and CEO Suresh Bangah said the airline is heading into Vietnam to give Filipinos more options when flying. He also noted that AirAsia, as a group, is expanding its wings in Southeast Asia to improve regional connectivity.
“Our hope is to give the Filipino traveler more choices, better value and easier access to exciting destinations in Southeast Asia,” Bangah stressed.
Data from the Philippine Department of Tourism indicate that 308,679 Filipino tourists visited Vietnam between January and October 2025, making it the eighth most popular destination for Filipino travelers, surpassing traditional destinations such as the United States and the Republic of Korea. In contrast, only 28,058 Vietnamese tourists visited the Philippines during the same period.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s National Statistics Office reported that the number of Filipino visitors to Vietnam in 2025 amounted to 482,173, representing a sharp increase of 181.3% compared to 2024.
Philippine Airlines launches direct flight from Manila to Da Nang
VOV.VN - Philippine Airlines’ flight PR585 landed at Da Nang International Airport, at 12:45 p.m. on July 1, bringing 193 passengers to the central city of Vietnam and marking the official launch of the direct route between Manila (Philippines) and Da Nang.
