ベトナム航空（Vietnam Airlines）は2026年4月2日から、ホーチミン市タンソンニャット国際空港とタイ・プーケット国際空港を結ぶ直行便の運航を開始する。週3便でスタートし、4月23日から週4便、5月5日から週5便へと段階的に増便する計画だ（具体的な曜日設定は一次情報未確認）。使用機材はAirbus A321で、所要時間は約1時間30分。日本からベトナム入りして東南アジア複数国を周遊したい旅行者にとって、新たな選択肢が生まれた。
Overview of the new route: Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket connected directly
Until now, heading from Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket, Thailand, a Bangkok connection was common. Going via Bangkok often took 4–6 hours in total, an inconvenient route for a Phuket beach-resort trip. With the opening of this direct flight, you can now travel in about 1 hour 30 minutes without a connection.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Operation start date | Thursday, April 2, 2026 |
| Line | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) ⇔ Phuket (HKT) |
| Flight frequency | 週3便（4月2日〜22日）→ 週4便（4月23日〜5月4日）→ 週5便（5月5日以降） |
| Aircraft used | Airbus A321 |
| Time required | About 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Operating carrier | Vietnam Airlines |
Impact on Japanese travelers: touring Vietnam + Thailand becomes easier
This route holds great meaning for travelers departing from Japan too.
Pattern 1: Vietnam → Thailand tour
Enter Ho Chi Minh City from Japan, enjoy Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing (2–3 nights), then head to Phuket on this direct flight. It becomes easy to build a route where you savor Phuket's beach resort and then return home via Bangkok. It's a route that suits the style of touring two Southeast Asian countries in one trip.
Pattern 2: Thailand → Vietnam tour
The reverse direction is also possible. After swimming and refreshing in Phuket, enjoy gourmet food and shopping in Ho Chi Minh City and head home. It can be used as a route that functions as a gateway to Vietnam.
Vietnam Airlines' route-expansion strategy
Riding the recovery and expansion of tourism demand within Asia, Vietnam Airlines has been moving aggressively on route expansion since the latter half of 2025. Note that Vietnam Airlines, which has at times been reported to havelarge-scale flight reductions due to a fuel shortage,is said to be looking at recovery on some routes around April 10–15, so please check the latest operational status before traveling.
April in Ho Chi Minh City is smack in the middle of travel season
April in Ho Chi Minh City is the tail end of the dry season, a comfortable time with little rain. From April 23–26,the 4th Vietnam Banh Mi Festivalis scheduled, where you can enjoy a food festival with over 150 shops gathered in one place. Also,Phu Quoc International Airport has completed expansion with a 47-million-dollar investment,and the travel environment across southern Vietnam is coming together.
What kind of place is Phuket?
Located in southern Thailand, Phuket is one of Southeast Asia's leading resort islands, known for emerald-green seas and white-sand beaches. It has diverse beaches such as Patong Beach, Karon Beach, and Kata Beach, and a full lineup of the activities travelers seek — marine sports, Thai cuisine, massage, and shopping.
Summary
ベトナム航空のホーチミン〜プーケット直行便開設は、東南アジア旅行を計画する日本人にとって選択肢を広げる朗報だ。「ベトナムだけでは物足りない」「タイも組み合わせたい」というニーズに応えるルートが誕生した。5月5日以降の週5便化で安定的な選択肢になるため、夏休み・秋の旅行計画にも活用できそうだ。
Source
・Vietnam Airlines Adds Direct Phuket–Ho Chi Minh Flights from April 2026 (The Traveler)
