The announcement was made at the Viet Nam–Philippines Business Forum in the presence of Viet Nam’s Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang and senior leaders from both countries, during the state visit of Viet Nam’s General Secretary and President To Lam to the Philippines.
The new service is scheduled to commence on December 11, 2026, operating five round-trip flights per week and doubling Vietjet’s capacity on the Viet Nam–Philippines market. Following the successful launch of the Ho Chi Minh City–Manila route in late 2025, the new Ho Chi Minh City–Cebu service will provide travellers with additional convenient travel options between the two countries while supporting economic development across Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
As the oldest city and the first capital of the Philippines, Cebu has evolved into one of the country’s leading economic centres. Renowned for its rich cultural and historical heritage, world-class island and beach resorts, and strategic location, Cebu serves as a gateway to some of the Philippines’ most iconic destinations, including Bohol, Boracay, and Palawan.
Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City is Viet Nam’s economic powerhouse, a key gateway to the country, and an important international transit hub, offering onward connections through Vietjet’s extensive network to destinations across Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and the Czech Republic.
The rapid growth of air connectivity continues to facilitate stronger economic ties between Viet Nam and the Philippines. According to official Vietnamese statistics, bilateral trade reached 7.8 billion USD in 2025, with both countries targeting 10 billion USD in the coming years. During the first four months of 2026, Viet Nam welcomed 236,000 visitors from the Philippines, representing a 73.4% year-on-year increase and placing the Philippines among Viet Nam’s top 10 international source markets for the first time.
Since 2019, Vietjet has operated five routes between the two countries, connecting Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang with major Philippine destinations such as Manila, Davao, and Cebu. These services have contributed significantly to the growth of tourism, trade, investment, logistics, and people-to-people exchanges between two of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies.
More than just a new air link between two cities, Vietjet’s Ho Chi Minh City–Cebu route will serve as a strategic bridge linking vibrant business communities, high-potential markets, and rich cultural traditions in both countries.
Supported by a team of more than 100 Filipino professionals in the market — including pilots, cabin crew members, engineers, and managers — Vietjet will continue to expand its network and add more attractive destinations across the island nation, further strengthening strategic connectivity between Viet Nam and the Philippines as well as within ASEAN.
