COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Vietnam and Sri Lanka are poised to reach a historic milestone in their bilateral relations with the launch of the first direct commercial flights between the two countries later this month, Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam said, describing the new air links as a catalyst for tourism, trade, and investment.
Speaking at a tourism promotion programme in Colombo, Tam said the new services by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet would end a 34-year period without direct air connectivity since the two countries signed an Air Services Agreement in 1992.
“It has taken us 34 years to realise the dream of having direct flights,” the ambassador said. “The upcoming direct flights will create new opportunities not only for tourism, but also for trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.”
Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, described the new air services as more than just another commercial route, saying they would serve as a bridge connecting the people of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. He said improved connectivity would make travel easier, encourage greater cultural exchange, and foster lasting relationships between the two countries, while creating new opportunities for tourism and broader economic cooperation. He congratulated both governments and the aviation partners for bringing the long-awaited direct links to fruition after decades of effort.
The ambassador was addressing “Vietnam – A World of Endless Wonders,” a tourism promotion programme organised by Vietravel in collaboration with the Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka and Hayleys Aviation, ahead of the launch of two direct routes linking Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo.
The event brought together Sri Lanka’s Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Buddhika Hewawasam, Vietravel Chief Executive Officer Tran Doan The Duy, Hayleys Aviation Chief Executive Officer Gerard Victoria, senior executives from Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, and representatives from more than 100 Sri Lankan travel agencies and tourism companies.
Tam said the direct flights would significantly reduce travel time, lower costs, and strengthen tourism, business, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. She urged airlines, tour operators, and tourism authorities to use the new connectivity to develop attractive travel packages and expand bilateral tourism cooperation.
Vietravel used the programme to showcase Vietnam’s tourism attractions, including its cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and culinary traditions, while introducing travel packages tailored for the Sri Lankan market. The company also promoted closer cooperation between Vietnamese and Sri Lankan tour operators to encourage two-way tourism.
Representatives of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet outlined their expanding international networks and the forthcoming Ho Chi Minh City–Colombo services, which are expected to improve connectivity for both tourists and business travellers.
A highlight of the evening was a live culinary demonstration by Chef Nguyen Van Thong, Vice President of the Vietnam Young Chefs Association, who prepared Vietnam’s iconic pho, banh mi, and fresh spring rolls for guests.
The organisers also awarded familiarisation trips to Vietnam to three attendees through a lucky draw, enabling them to explore destinations firsthand.
During her address, Tam said Vietnam welcomed more than 22 million international visitors in 2025, while Sri Lanka received over 2.3 million tourists, but noted that tourism exchanges between the two countries had remained below their potential because travellers were forced to transit through third countries. She said the direct flights would help unlock opportunities not only in leisure travel but also in religious tourism, MICE travel, eco-tourism, wellness tourism, and educational exchanges.
The tourism promotion programme forms part of broader efforts by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka and its partners to strengthen Vietnam’s presence in the Sri Lankan tourism market and deepen the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries through greater tourism, trade, and people-to-people connectivity.
