Philippine Airlines (PAL) will introduce nonstop flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City, commencing on May 2 with an initial frequency of three flights weekly.

The new Cebu-Ho Chi Minh City route responds to the increasing interest among Filipinos in visiting Vietnam, which saw approximately 216,000 Filipino tourists in 2024, making it the ninth most popular destination.

This route marks the first direct air service between Central Visayas and Vietnam’s economic center.

Expansion in Vietnam

PAL is also planning to upgrade its Manila-Hanoi service to a daily schedule from April 1, an increase from five flights per week.

PAL President and COO Stanley K Ng stated:

“We are pleased to expand Philippine Airlines’ footprint in Vietnam, our next-door neighbor and fellow ASEAN member country, through our new service linking Ho Chi Minh City to Cebu for the very first time. We look forward to boosting tourism, strengthening Cebu’s position as the nation’s emerging business and leisure gateway, and building on the strong and friendly relations between Vietnam and the Philippines. We are excited to invite Vietnamese tourists and business people to take the short hop to Cebu to discover the wonders of our islands and enjoy the warm hospitality of our people.”

Flight Schedule

The Cebu-Ho Chi Minh City flights will operate every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with return flights from Ho Chi Minh every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
This new service will use Airbus A321, accommodating 199 passengers in both Business and Economy classes.