Vietnam Airlines launches a new direct service between Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from August 18, 2026. The route runs three times per week — Monday, Thursday, and Saturday — with flights operated by an Airbus A321. Sri Lankan Airlines is adding a complementary HCM City service later this month, effectively doubling frequency between the two cities.
Route Details
The Vietnam Airlines service departs Ho Chi Minh City at 08:30 and arrives Colombo at 12:15 local time. The return flight leaves Colombo at 14:00, landing in Ho Chi Minh City at 20:45. Flight time is approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.
Economy fares on the new route are launching from around $180 USD one-way, including taxes. Business class is available from approximately $540 one-way. Tickets are on sale now through the Vietnam Airlines website, Agoda Flights, and major online travel agencies.
Sri Lankan Airlines’ schedule is not yet published in full but is expected to run Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, creating near-daily connectivity between the two cities from late August.
Why This Matters for Travelers
Until now, traveling between Vietnam and Sri Lanka required a connection through Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur — adding 4 to 8 hours of travel time depending on the layover. The new nonstop routing makes Vietnam–Sri Lanka a realistic short-break destination from either end.
For travelers using Ho Chi Minh City as a regional hub, Colombo is now directly reachable in the same time it takes to fly to Seoul or Tokyo. Sri Lanka requires no advance visa for Vietnamese passport holders under a new reciprocal arrangement, and citizens of most Western countries can obtain a Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online for $35 USD.
Visa Information for the Vietnam–Colombo Route
Vietnamese citizens traveling to Sri Lanka are eligible for visa on arrival or electronic ETA (30 days, extendable once). Sri Lankan citizens traveling to Vietnam can obtain an e-visa online at $25 USD for up to 90 days. No visa is required at the border.
Our practical guide covers entry requirements, airport transport at Tan Son Nhat, and tips for managing onward connections from Ho Chi Minh City.