Sri Lanka and Vietnam are set to strengthen their tourism partnership by introducing a joint tourism package following the launch of direct flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City. The initiative is expected to deepen bilateral tourism cooperation while enhancing travel opportunities between the two countries.

According to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the proposed tourism package will initially focus on promoting religious tourism by building on the longstanding cultural and religious ties shared by the two nations. It will also showcase cultural, wellness and adventure tourism experiences, offering travellers a more diverse regional travel experience.

The initiative follows the inauguration of direct flights by VietJetAir between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City. Welcoming the airline’s entry into the Sri Lankan market, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath expressed confidence that the new air service would strengthen tourism, business and people to people connections between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Minister Herath noted that the commencement of direct flights is the successful outcome of discussions held between the leaders of Sri Lanka and Vietnam last year. The new service is expected to improve accessibility for both leisure and business travellers while opening new opportunities for tourism and trade.

With Ho Chi Minh City serving as VietJetAir’s principal aviation hub, the direct connection will also provide Sri Lankan travellers with convenient access to destinations across Vietnam, East Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia. The enhanced connectivity is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a regional tourism destination while supporting broader economic cooperation and international engagement between the two countries.