Vietnam Airlines Launches Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket Route
Vietnam Airlines launched its first direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket on July 2, operating four times weekly to strengthen tourism ties between Thailand and Vietnam during their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Phuket, 3 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed Vietnam Airlines’ inaugural Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket flight, the first route outcome under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two partners on 28 May 2026. The launch comes as Thailand and Viet Nam celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.
The inaugural flight VN621 on 2 July, operated by an Airbus A321, departed Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 16.00 and arrived at Phuket International Airport at 17.50 local time with 152 passengers. The flight was greeted with a water cannon salute, while arriving passengers and crew received floral garlands and commemorative gifts. Miss Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, led the welcome together with TAT executives and representatives from Vietnam Airlines and Phuket International Airport.
Operating four flights per week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the service reflects the MOU’s focus on joint tourism promotion, business opportunities, and expanded air connectivity. It gives southern Viet Nam direct access to one of Thailand’s leading resort destinations and supports closer people-to-people and regional tourism links.
Miss Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, said, “This inaugural flight shows how cooperation with Vietnam Airlines is converting air access into tangible travel opportunities. The route offers trade partners new packaging potential, supports quality visitor demand from Viet Nam, and broadens ASEAN tourism links. TAT will continue to work with airline and travel trade partners to match market demand with routes, products, and promotions that deliver long-term value for both countries.”
To build on the route launch, TAT’s Ho Chi Minh City Office is organising a familiarisation trip from 7 to 11 July 2026, bringing 16 Vietnamese travel agents and four media representatives to Phuket. The programme will showcase tourism products and services in the province and include business matching between Vietnamese travel companies and Phuket tourism operators, helping build confidence in Phuket’s tourism readiness and expand market opportunities.
TAT’s Ho Chi Minh City Office is also promoting the “Thai Lan – Càng Hiểu Càng Yêu” initiative through targeted consumer communications, trade partnerships, and package promotions. The campaign presents Thailand as a safe, meaningful, and value-led destination, with content shaped around Vietnamese travellers’ interest in lifestyle, family, event-based, and flexible travel experiences, supporting TAT’s target of 689,000 Vietnamese arrivals in 2026.
The post TAT and Vietnam Airlines see MOU take shape with Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket flight appeared first on TAT Newsroom.
