Vietjet is preparing to enter the Sri Lankan market with a new direct Colombo-Ho Chi Minh City route, while its recent international awards highlight the airline’s growing global profile and distinctive passenger experience.
Vietjet brings its award-winning brand and signature red uniform to Sri Lanka
The Vietnamese carrier is scheduled to launch the new service on August 18, 2026, creating a direct air link between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s commercial hub. The route is expected to give Sri Lankan travellers greater access to Vietnam while also providing onward connections to destinations across Asia-Pacific.
The launch comes shortly after Vietjet secured two honours at the 2026 Flyers’ Choice Awards organised by AirlineRatings, winning the categories of “Favourite Low-Cost Carrier” and “Best Cabin Crew Uniform.” The awards are determined entirely through traveller votes, with around 40,000 verified votes recorded for the 2026 edition.
The recognition highlights two distinct elements of the airline’s positioning: competitive airfares and a strong visual identity. For an airline expanding into new international markets, the combination provides an opportunity to introduce its brand to new passengers while building awareness around its onboard service.
AirlineRatings CEO Sharon Petersen said the two awards represented an important stage in the airline’s international development, particularly highlighting the impact of its cabin crew uniform. Designed by European designers, the uniform incorporates Vietjet’s signature red colour with elements inspired by youth cadet attire.
Bow ties, garrison caps, plaid patterns and contemporary styling give the uniform a distinctive appearance compared with more conventional airline cabin designs. The airline has positioned its signature red as an important part of its identity, reflecting what it describes as a youthful, friendly, confident and forward-looking character.
For passengers travelling on the new Colombo Ho Chi Minh City route, the brand experience will extend beyond the airline’s visual identity. The carrier says its onboard offering includes nine hot meal options, Vikkafe beverages and shopping for duty-free products, gifts and travel essentials.
The airline also plans to bring elements of Vietnamese and regional culture into the passenger experience through destination-inspired music, cultural and artistic performances and cabin service delivered by its young crew.
The new route could also strengthen travel links between Sri Lanka and Vietnam at a time when travellers are increasingly seeking additional destinations within the wider Asian tourism market. Three round-trip flights each week will connect Colombo with Ho Chi Minh City, while passengers can use the Vietnamese hub to reach other destinations across Southeast Asia and beyond.
The expansion is particularly relevant to Sri Lankan travellers interested in Vietnam, as well as passengers looking for connections to destinations in China, Japan, South Korea and Australia. The new service could therefore serve both point-to-point travellers and passengers using Vietnam as part of a broader regional itinerary.
Safety remains another major component of the airline’s international positioning. Vietjet says it has maintained AirlineRatings’ highest seven-star safety rating and has been recognised among the world’s safest airlines for several consecutive years. The carrier has also received recognition from organisations including CAPA, Skytrax and the World Travel Awards for areas including safety, service, customer experience and brand value.
The airline’s expansion into Sri Lanka comes as the regional aviation market continues to develop, with new routes playing an important role in strengthening tourism, business travel and wider economic connections. Direct air services can reduce travel times and improve accessibility for both leisure travellers and businesses operating between markets.
For Sri Lanka, the Colombo service provides another international connection with a rapidly developing Southeast Asian economy. Vietnam has become an increasingly important destination for tourism and business, while Ho Chi Minh City serves as a major commercial and economic centre.
Vietjet has grown from a Vietnamese low-cost carrier into an international airline with an expanding presence across the Asia-Pacific region and new markets in Europe. The airline says its growth strategy is supported by cost-efficient operations, technology adoption and flexible fares designed to broaden access to air travel.
The Colombo-Ho Chi Minh City launch therefore represents more than the addition of another international flight. It marks the airline’s formal connection with the Sri Lankan market and introduces local travellers to a carrier seeking to differentiate itself through affordable fares, distinctive branding and a broader onboard offering.
With three weekly round trips scheduled from August 18, the new service is expected to provide Sri Lankan passengers with a new direct option for travelling to Vietnam while opening additional possibilities for onward travel across Asia-Pacific.