Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet will begin flying between Clark and Ho Chi Minh City on November 10, its first service out of Clark International Airport (CRK) and a fresh international link for travelers based outside Metro Manila.
The airline will operate three round-trip flights weekly on the route-every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday-connecting Central and Northern Luzon to Vietnam’s largest commercial center without the drive to Metro Manila.
Noel Manankil, president and CEO of Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (Lipad) Corp., the operator of Clark International Airport, said the launch validates the airport’s pitch to foreign carriers that its catchment area extends well beyond the capital region.
‘Vietjet’s decision to launch its first Clark service is a strong vote of confidence in the market we serve,’ he said. ‘Clark gives airlines access to a large catchment area beyond Metro Manila, and this direct connection to Ho Chi Minh City creates a more efficient travel option for passengers across Central and Northern Luzon.’
Manankil added that Lipad sees ‘considerable potential’ for the route to carry both leisure and business traffic between the two markets.
Ho Chi Minh City also functions as a connecting point into Vietjet’s domestic network, with onward services to Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Hue available to passengers routing through the city.
To seed demand on the new route, Vietjet is running weekly Friday promotional sales with Eco fares starting at $75 one way, inclusive of taxes and fees. The offer covers travel until March 31, 2027, and excludes peak periods, public holidays and blackout dates. Bookings are available through the airline’s website and mobile application.
Clark has been rebuilding its international network as the government pushes to decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and spread traffic to secondary gateways.