Vietjet has officially launched a new direct service connecting Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Vietnam while creating a new travel link between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Prior to the departure of Flight VJ1875 from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of August 18, Vietjet leaders presented flowers to the flight crew and passengers and extended their best wishes for the inaugural journey.
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 local connection behind the new service.
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, the aircraft received a water cannon salute. The celebrations continued with a traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance at the arrival pier before guests proceeded to the Silk Route Lounge for the official ceremony.
Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy; Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism; Trinh Thi Tam, Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka and Maldives; and H.E. Poshitha Perera, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, together with senior representatives from Vietjet and Bandaranaike International Airport, participated in a traditional Sri Lankan oil lamp lighting ceremony and inaugural cake cutting.
The ceremony was followed by remarks highlighting the importance of the new direct service in strengthening tourism, trade and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City route operates three round-trip flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights depart Bandaranaike International Airport at 23:00 and arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 05:55 the following morning. 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 major commercial and tourism hubs in South and Southeast Asia, within convenient reach, creating opportunities for leisure, business and cultural exchange.
For Sri Lankan travellers, Ho Chi Minh City provides a gateway to Southeast Asia, offering a combination of history, cuisine and modern urban life, while Vietjet’s network provides connections to destinations across Vietnam and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Andrew The Aviation Company is the exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA) for Vietjet Air in Sri Lanka.
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