On April 2, 2026, Vietnam Airlines began operating a direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) and Phuket, Thailand (Phuket International Airport). It's a five-flights-a-week setup using the Airbus A321, with a promotional round-trip fare from 4.03 million VND (about 24,200 yen) in economy class. CEO Le Hong Ha positions it as "a route that expands the intra-Southeast Asia network and responds to the growth of travel demand between Vietnam and Thailand."
Details of the new route—5 flights a week, evening departures making full use of the day
The new route's operating schedule is as follows. It departs Ho Chi Minh City at 16:00 and arrives in Phuket at 17:50 (local time). The return leg departs Phuket at 18:45 and arrives back in Ho Chi Minh City at 20:55. Flight time is about 1 hour 50 minutes one way. It operates five days a week—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday—with Wednesday and Friday suspended.
The aircraft used is the narrow-body Airbus A321. With a two-class system of business and economy, it secures ample seat supply for a mid-haul leisure route.
Flight schedule and fares
| Item | Outbound (VN621) | Return (VN620) |
|---|---|---|
| Departure point | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | Phuket (HKT) |
| Departure time | 16:00 | 18:45 |
| Arrival time | 17:50 | 20:55 |
| Flight time | About 1 hour 50 minutes | About 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Operating days | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (Wednesday and Friday suspended) | |
| Aircraft | Airbus A321 | |
| Fare class | Promotional round-trip fare (tax included) | In Japanese yen |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | From 4.03 million VND | From about 24,200 yen |
| Business | From 15.18 million VND | From about 91,100 yen |
The promotional fare is conditional on ticketing by April 30, 2026, with a travel period of April 2 to September 30. Lotusmiles members can earn 1,000 bonus miles per segment in economy class and 2,000 bonus miles in business class (for departures through May 31).
Vietnam-Thailand tourism demand—over 600,000 Vietnamese to Thailand a year
Behind the opening of this route is rapidly expanding two-way tourism demand between Vietnam and Thailand. In 2025 results, over 600,000 Vietnamese visited Thailand, making it the sixth-largest source country in Thailand's inbound market. In the reverse direction, over 470,000 Thais visited Vietnam.
Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha commented, "Travel demand within Southeast Asia continues to grow, and the Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket route is one pillar of our intra-regional network expansion strategy." Both countries' tourism authorities also share the recognition that "Thailand and Vietnam are complementary, not competitors," aiming to unearth touring demand to visit two countries in a single trip.
Local reactions—"Getting to Phuket has become far more convenient"
After the launch announcement, positive reactions stand out on Vietnam's social media.
A travel-loving user living in Ho Chi Minh City welcomes it: "Until now, getting to Phuket meant half a day with a Bangkok transfer. If a direct flight is under two hours, weekend trips become realistic too." A travel-agency staff member speaks of the response: "Inquiries about package tours to Phuket from Ho Chi Minh City tripled the week after the launch announcement."
The reaction on the Thai side is favorable too. A Phuket hotel-industry figure places expectations on it: "Vietnamese tourists have longer stays of 3-4 nights and actively enjoy local food and night markets. They're a customer base that contributes greatly to Phuket's economy."
Impact on Japanese travelers—a Ho Chi Minh City-plus-Phuket two-city tour becomes realistic
For Japanese travelers, this route's launch widens the options when building a "Vietnam plus Thailand" two-country tour plan.
For example, a model route like the following can be considered.
- Day 1-3: Narita/Kansai to Ho Chi Minh City (direct flight about 6 hours). Enjoy Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing and food
- Day 3: Depart Ho Chi Minh City 16:00, arrive Phuket 17:50 (VN621). Evening check-in
- Day 4-6: Enjoy Phuket's beach resorts to the full
- Day 6: Phuket to Bangkok to Narita/Kansai to return home
In Ho Chi Minh City,Noong Oi, which recently reopened,enjoy Vietnamese cuisine at, andemerging cafés that drew attention at Cafe Show Vietnamtour, then move to Phuket on the evening flight—such a schedule can also be built without strain.
At 24,200 yen for the promotional round-trip fare, combined with a Japan-Ho Chi Minh City ticket (round trip in the 30,000-40,000-yen range on VietJet Air), it works out to touring two countries for under 100,000 yen.
Vietnam Airlines' 2026 international-route expansion—an Amsterdam direct flight also launches in June
The Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket route is part of the international-route expansion Vietnam Airlines is advancing in 2026. The company newly opened or resumed 14 international routes in 2025, and it's maintaining that momentum in 2026.
Noteworthy is that a Hanoi-Amsterdam direct flight is planned to launch in June 2026. If realized, it will be the first nonstop route from Vietnam to Europe.The expansion of the London Heathrow routeCombined with this, Vietnam Airlines is seeking to greatly strengthen its connectivity with Europe.
Within Asia, VietJet Air is also on the offensive, andthe launch of Nagoya and Fukuoka routesand other moves—including the Jakarta-Da Nang route (launching April 29)—it's rapidly expanding its Southeast Asia network. The situation where Vietnam's LCCs and full-service carriers alike are increasing routes is a tailwind for travelers from Japan to Vietnam.
Practical info summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Line | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) ↔ Phuket (HKT) |
| Launch date | April 2, 2026 |
| Operating carrier | Vietnam Airlines |
| Flight number | VN621 (outbound) / VN620 (return) |
| Flight frequency | 5 flights a week (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun) |
| Aircraft | Airbus A321 |
| Economy round trip | From 4.03 million VND (from about 24,200 yen) |
| Business round trip | From 15.18 million VND (from about 91,100 yen) |
| Promotional ticketing deadline | April 30, 2026 |
| Eligible travel period | April 2 to September 30, 2026 |
| Bonus miles | 1,000 miles economy / 2,000 miles business (for departures through May 31) |
| How to book | Vietnam Airlines official website / travel agencies |
Summary—the promotional fare runs through April 30; book now
Vietnam Airlines' Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket direct flight is a long-awaited route for travelers who want to tour two Southeast Asian countries efficiently in a single trip. The direct flight time is just 1 hour 50 minutes, and the evening-departure schedule is easy to use too.
The ticketing deadline for the promotional round-trip fare (economy from about 24,200 yen) is April 30. If you're planning a Ho Chi Minh City-plus-Phuket tour over Golden Week or the summer holidays, you'll want to secure your ticket within the deadline. You can book directly from the Vietnam Airlines official website.
