Vietjet this week launched its new direct service connecting Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Vietnam while opening a new travel link between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The inaugural flight, with two Sri Lankan pilots among the three-member cockpit crew, was celebrated with a vibrant ceremony bringing together government officials, diplomatic representatives and aviation stakeholders from both countries.
Prior to the departure of Flight VJ1875 from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of 18 August, Vietjet leaders presented flowers to the flight crew and passengers, sending their best wishes for the inaugural journey. Notably, two of the three pilots operating the flight were Sri Lankan – Captain Yonmeregngna Seemon Hewage Thiwanka Silva and First Officer Randil Hashen Perera – highlighting the strong local connection behind the new service. Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, the aircraft received a spectacular water cannon salute. Passengers were then greeted with flower garlands and Sri Lankan tea gift packs as a warm gesture of local hospitality.
The celebration continued with a traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance at the arrival pier before guests returned to the Silk Route Lounge for the official ceremony. Ports and Civil Aviation and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka, Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Vietnam Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Trinh Thi Tam, Sri Lanka Ambassador to Vietnam Poshitha Perera, General Sales Agents Andrew The Aviation Company Ltd., Managing Director Mahen Kariyawasan, together with senior representatives from Vietjet and Bandaranaike International Airport, took part in a traditional Sri Lankan oil lamp lighting ceremony and inaugural cake cutting, followed by remarks celebrating the new direct service.
The Colombo-Ho Chi Minh City route operates three round-trip flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, providing Sri Lankan travellers with a convenient direct link to southern Vietnam. Flights depart Bandaranaike International Airport at 23:00 and arrive in Tan Son Nhat Airport at 05:55 the following morning, while the return service departs Ho Chi Minh City at 18:15 and arrives in Colombo at 21:50 local time.
The new service brings Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, two dynamic commercial and tourism hubs in South and Southeast Asia, within convenient reach, creating new opportunities for leisure, business and cultural exchange. For Sri Lankan travellers, Ho Chi Minh City offers a gateway to Southeast Asia, combining a vibrant mix of history, cuisine and modern urban life with Vietjet’s extensive network connecting the city to destinations across Vietnam and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The direct link also makes it easier for travellers from Vietnam and Vietjet’s international markets to discover Sri Lanka. Colombo provides a convenient starting point for exploring the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean,’ from its tropical beaches and lush tea-growing landscapes to its rich cultural heritage and diverse natural attractions.
For travellers flying with Vietjet, the experience extends beyond connectivity, with a modern in-flight experience aboard the airline’s fuel-efficient fleet and attentive service from a professional and energetic cabin crew. Passengers can also enjoy freshly prepared hot meals featuring Vietnamese and international favourites, including Pho, Banh mi and Vietnamese iced milk coffee, bringing a taste of Vietnam to the journey.