Manila: The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed VietJet Air's inaugural direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Manila, calling it a boost to the country's air connectivity within Southeast Asia. The maiden flight arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at 2:50 a.m on Nov. 30 with 213 passengers aboard the 240-seater aircraft, and departed for Ho Chi Minh City at 3:45 a.m., carrying 189 passengers.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a press release on Thursday, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the new route supports the Marcos administration's efforts to expand international gateways and enhance the Philippines' position as a major tourism hub in Asia. 'We are delighted to welcome VietJet's new direct flight, as this development aligns with the Marcos administration's thrust to expand international connectivity and position the Philippines as a primary tourism hub in Asia,' Frasco said.
She noted Vietnam's growing outbound market and its potential to help drive visitor arrivals to the Philippines. 'The strengthened air links allow us to welcome more Vietnamese visitors to experience the warmth of Filipino hospitality and the beauty of our destinations,' she added.
The DOT-National Capital Region welcomed passengers with leis and cultural performances, joined by VietJet executives, airport officials, Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025 Chelsea Fernandez, and DOT representatives. VietJet will operate five weekly round-trip flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City, further enhancing existing links already served by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Vietnam Airlines.
From January to Nov. 30, the Philippines recorded 31,085 visitor arrivals from Vietnam, representing a 0.60 percent market share. The new service adds to the growing number of direct international routes to the Philippines, including recently launched flights from New Delhi, Perth, Brisbane, Canada, Paris, and several US cities.
'As an archipelagic nation with 7,641 islands, over 99 percent of Philippine international tourism is dependent on air travel. That is how important air connectivity is for us,' Frasco said.
