VietJet Air Colombo Office was officially opened yesterday, marking a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Vietnam while creating new opportunities for tourism, trade, and business travel between the two countries.
VietJet Air Colombo Office to boost Vietnam-Sri Lanka connectivity
The opening ceremony was inaugurated by Vietnam’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Trinh Thi Tam, alongside representatives from the aviation and travel industries. The new office is expected to serve as a central hub for passenger services, travel trade support, partnership development, and operational coordination as the airline prepares to commence direct flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City.
VietJet Air’s operations in Sri Lanka will be represented by Andrew The Aviation Company Ltd., which has been appointed as the airline’s General Sales Agent (GSA). The partnership will be led by the company’s Chairman, Mahen Kariyawasan, who emphasized the importance of expanding travel links between the two nations.
The launch of the office reflects VietJet Air’s broader strategy of strengthening its international presence across Asia while enhancing accessibility and affordability for travelers. As one of Vietnam’s leading low-cost carriers, the airline has steadily expanded its network and continues to focus on improving customer convenience through new destinations and strategic partnerships.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam welcomed the airline’s growing presence in Sri Lanka and highlighted the positive trajectory of relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. She noted that increased connectivity would support stronger people-to-people exchanges while opening new avenues for economic and cultural cooperation.
The ambassador also expressed confidence that improved air links would contribute to the growth of bilateral engagement across multiple sectors, including tourism, commerce, education, and investment.
A key development accompanying the office opening is the planned launch of the Colombo – Ho Chi Minh City route, which is scheduled to commence in August 2026. The service is expected to operate four round-trip flights per week, providing direct connectivity between the Sri Lankan capital and Vietnam’s largest commercial city.
Industry stakeholders believe the new route will create significant benefits for travelers and businesses alike. Direct flights are expected to reduce travel times, improve convenience, and facilitate greater movement of tourists, business travelers, and investors between the two markets.
For Sri Lankan travelers, Ho Chi Minh City offers access to one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies and serves as an important gateway to the wider ASEAN region. Likewise, the route is expected to attract more Vietnamese visitors to Sri Lanka, supporting the country’s tourism recovery and expansion efforts.
Mahen Kariyawasan stated that the collaboration between Andrew The Aviation Company and VietJet Air represents an important step toward strengthening bilateral engagement. He noted that the airline’s entry into the Sri Lankan market would enhance travel opportunities while contributing to the growth of tourism and trade between the two countries.
The aviation sector has increasingly been recognized as a key enabler of economic development, particularly for countries seeking to expand international visitor arrivals and attract foreign investment. Improved connectivity often creates wider economic benefits by facilitating trade, encouraging business partnerships, and supporting service-sector growth.
The opening of the VietJet Air Colombo Office comes at a time when Sri Lanka is actively working to diversify its tourism markets and strengthen international aviation links. Industry experts note that greater connectivity with Southeast Asia can help attract new visitor segments while also creating opportunities for outbound travel from Sri Lanka.
Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s most dynamic economies in recent years, with growing demand for regional travel and commercial partnerships. The introduction of the Colombo – Ho Chi Minh City route is therefore expected to strengthen economic ties and encourage greater cooperation between businesses in both countries.
Beyond tourism, enhanced air connectivity can also support cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, and trade promotion initiatives. Direct access between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City is likely to make business engagement more efficient while encouraging greater interaction between the two nations.
As VietJet Air continues to expand its international network, the establishment of the VietJet Air Colombo Office signals the airline’s long-term commitment to the Sri Lankan market. With direct services set to begin in August 2026, the move is expected to play a key role in strengthening connectivity, supporting tourism and trade, and fostering closer relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.