Vietnam Airlines launches 1st nonstop route to Sri Lanka in Oct

Vietnam Airlines adds a direct Ho Chi Minh City-Colombo route

Vietnam Airlines will begin direct service between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo in October 2026, with three round-trip flights a week on Airbus A321 aircraft. It’s the first nonstop route ever between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, the airline said.

The schedule calls for Ho Chi Minh City departures on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with Colombo return flights on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The route was announced during a Vietnam-Sri Lanka trade and tourism forum in Colombo.

What the route changes for nomads and expats

The biggest change is simpler routing. Travelers heading between Vietnam and Sri Lanka have mostly relied on connections through Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Indian hubs, which meant longer trips and more layovers.

For expats and digital nomads, Ho Chi Minh City gets a more useful role as a regional stopover point. The new flight makes it easier to move between Southeast Asia and South Asia without backtracking through a third-country hub and it should help with mixed-country itineraries and longer stays in Sri Lanka.

What travelers should check before booking

The route itself doesn’t change entry rules. Travelers still need the usual Vietnam visa or visa exemption and Sri Lanka’s standard ETA or visa rules still apply depending on nationality.

Vietnam Airlines hasn’t published fares or booking details yet, so travelers should watch for ticket sales closer to the first flight. For the latest entry rules and trip planning, check the visa updates page and read our full Vietnam guide for the complete picture.