{"id":1912,"date":"2026-04-20T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/?post_type=news&#038;p=1912"},"modified":"2026-05-09T19:57:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T10:57:43","slug":"vietnamairlines-hcm-phuket","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/vietnamairlines-hcm-phuket\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnam Airlines launches a Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket direct flight\u20145 flights a week and a round trip in the 40,000-yen range bring a two-country Southeast Asia tour within reach"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.\"<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Details of the new route\u20145 flights a week, evening departures making full use of the day<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2014Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday\u2014with Wednesday and Friday suspended.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flight schedule and fares<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Item<\/th><th>Outbound (VN621)<\/th><th>Return (VN620)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Departure point<\/td><td>Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)<\/td><td>Phuket (HKT)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Departure time<\/td><td>16:00<\/td><td>18:45<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Arrival time<\/td><td>17:50<\/td><td>20:55<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Flight time<\/td><td>About 1 hour 50 minutes<\/td><td>About 2 hours 10 minutes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Operating days<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (Wednesday and Friday suspended)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Aircraft<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">Airbus A321<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Fare class<\/th><th>Promotional round-trip fare (tax included)<\/th><th>In Japanese yen<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Economy<\/td><td>From 4.03 million VND<\/td><td>From about 24,200 yen<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Business<\/td><td>From 15.18 million VND<\/td><td>From about 91,100 yen<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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).<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vietnam-Thailand tourism demand\u2014over 600,000 Vietnamese to Thailand a year<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Local reactions\u2014\"Getting to Phuket has become far more convenient\"<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the launch announcement, positive reactions stand out on Vietnam's social media.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.\"<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.\"<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impact on Japanese travelers\u2014a Ho Chi Minh City-plus-Phuket two-city tour becomes realistic<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Japanese travelers, this route's launch widens the options when building a \"Vietnam plus Thailand\" two-country tour plan.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, a model route like the following can be considered.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Day 1-3<\/strong>: Narita\/Kansai to Ho Chi Minh City (direct flight about 6 hours). Enjoy Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing and food<\/li><li><strong>Day 3<\/strong>: Depart Ho Chi Minh City 16:00, arrive Phuket 17:50 (VN621). Evening check-in<\/li><li><strong>Day 4-6<\/strong>: Enjoy Phuket's beach resorts to the full<\/li><li><strong>Day 6<\/strong>: Phuket to Bangkok to Narita\/Kansai to return home<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Ho Chi Minh City,<a href=\"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/noongoi-cafe-reopen\/\">Noong Oi, which recently reopened,<\/a>enjoy Vietnamese cuisine at, and<a href=\"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/cafeshow-vietnam-2026\/\">emerging caf\u00e9s that drew attention at Cafe Show Vietnam<\/a>tour, then move to Phuket on the evening flight\u2014such a schedule can also be built without strain.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vietnam Airlines' 2026 international-route expansion\u2014an Amsterdam direct flight also launches in June<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<a href=\"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/vietnamairlines-london-heathrow\/\">The expansion of the London Heathrow route<\/a>Combined with this, Vietnam Airlines is seeking to greatly strengthen its connectivity with Europe.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within Asia, VietJet Air is also on the offensive, and<a href=\"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/vietjet-nagoya-fukuoka\/\">the launch of Nagoya and Fukuoka routes<\/a>and other moves\u2014including the Jakarta-Da Nang route (launching April 29)\u2014it'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.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical info summary<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Item<\/th><th>Details<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Line<\/td><td>Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) \u2194 Phuket (HKT)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Launch date<\/td><td>April 2, 2026<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Operating carrier<\/td><td>Vietnam Airlines<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Flight number<\/td><td>VN621 (outbound) \/ VN620 (return)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Flight frequency<\/td><td>5 flights a week (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Aircraft<\/td><td>Airbus A321<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Economy round trip<\/td><td>From 4.03 million VND (from about 24,200 yen)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Business round trip<\/td><td>From 15.18 million VND (from about 91,100 yen)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Promotional ticketing deadline<\/td><td>April 30, 2026<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Eligible travel period<\/td><td>April 2 to September 30, 2026<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bonus miles<\/td><td>1,000 miles economy \/ 2,000 miles business (for departures through May 31)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>How to book<\/td><td>Vietnam Airlines official website \/ travel agencies<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary\u2014the promotional fare runs through April 30; book now<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u30d9\u30c8\u30ca\u30e0\u822a\u7a7a\uff08Vietnam Airlines\uff09\u306f2026\u5e744\u67082\u65e5\u3001\u30db\u30fc\u30c1\u30df\u30f3\u5e02\uff08\u30bf\u30f3\u30bd\u30f3\u30cb\u30e3\u30c3\u30c8\u56fd\u969b\u7a7a\u6e2f\uff09 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"swell_btn_cv_data":"","ssp_meta_description":"\u30d9\u30c8\u30ca\u30e0\u822a\u7a7a\u304c2026\u5e744\u67082\u65e5\u304b\u3089\u30db\u30fc\u30c1\u30df\u30f3\u301c\u30d7\u30fc\u30b1\u30c3\u30c8\u76f4\u884c\u4fbf\u3092\u904b\u822a\u958b\u59cb\u3002\u30a8\u30a2\u30d0\u30b9A321\u306e\u90315\u4fbf\u3067\u3001\u30a8\u30b3\u30ce\u30df\u30fc\u5f80\u5fa9403\u4e07VND\uff08\u7d0424,200\u5186\uff09\u304b\u3089\u3068\u6771\u5357\u30a2\u30b8\u30a2\u5468\u904a\u304c\u8eab\u8fd1\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002","ssp_meta_keyword":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19,427],"tags":[369,30,368,367],"purpose":[],"keyword":[],"location":[],"class_list":["post-1912","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry","category-news","category-transport","tag-369","tag-hochiminh","tag-368","tag-367"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2485,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1912\/revisions\/2485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1912"},{"taxonomy":"purpose","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/purpose?post=1912"},{"taxonomy":"keyword","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/keyword?post=1912"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=1912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}