Vietnam Airlines launches direct Ho Chi Minh City‑Phuket flights

Vietnam Airlines began operating a direct service between Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket on 2 July 2026. The inaugural flight, VN621, an Airbus A321 carrying 152 Vietnamese passengers, landed at Phuket International Airport at 17:50 local time.

The airline will operate the route four times a week – Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays – to meet peak‑season demand. Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) expects the new connection to bring up to 689,000 Vietnamese visitors to Thailand in 2026 and has organized a media and trade‑mission in Ho Chi Minh City to promote the route.

The launch coincides with the 50‑year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand and is part of broader efforts to strengthen tourism and business links, including a matchmaking event for Vietnamese travel operators and Thai service providers.