MANILA, Philippines – Is Vietnam the next top travel destination for Filipinos, specifically those in the Queen City of the South?
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and budget airline Cebu Pacific both announced a new route to Vietnam in February — direct flights from Cebu to Vietnam’s former capital, Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon).
“As Vietnam continues to grow in popularity among Filipino travelers, launching a new gateway to the country via Ho Chi Minh City is an exciting step for Cebu Pacific,” Cebu Pacific president and chief executive officer Xander Lao said in a statement on Thursday, February 20.
“We look forward to offering travelers from Cebu the chance to explore a new destination more seamlessly, and to welcoming more international visitors to discover the Philippines,” he added.
The budget carrier’s announcement comes a week after PAL launched its Cebu-Ho Chi Minh flights.
PAL president and chief operating officer captain Stanley Ng highlighted that the new route may also give Cebu traction as “the emerging business and leisure gateway” of the country.
“We are excited to invite Vietnamese tourists and business people to take the short hop to Cebu to discover the wonder of our islands and enjoy the warm hospitality of our people,” Ng said in a statement on February 13.
Flight schedules
Both airlines will be operating their respective Cebu-Ho Chi Minh flights three times a week.
Cebu Pacific flights will be offered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday starting April 7. The budget carrier is offering a piso sale from February 20 to 24 for Cebu-Ho Chi Minh flights scheduled from April 7 to July 31.
Meanwhile, PAL’s maiden flight takes off on May 2. The flag carrier provided the following schedule for their Cebu-Ho Chi Minh flights:
- Cebu-Ho Chi Minh (via PR587): Leaving Mactan, Cebu, every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:55 pm, arriving in Ho Chi Minh via Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 12:55 am
- Ho Chi Minh-Cebu (via PR588): Leaving Ho Chi Minh via Tan Son Nhat International Airport every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday at 1:55 am, arriving in Mactan, Cebu, at 6:05 am
To service the flights, PAL will be using Airbus A321, which can accommodate 199 passengers with business and economy class seats. PAL said the early arrivals in the Philippines may also allow Vietnamese tourists to tap into the flag carrier’s other offerings, such as its direct flights to Osaka and Tokyo from Cebu, on top of local destinations.
The flag carrier noted the increase in Filipino tourist visits to Vietnam. In 2024, PAL said 216,000 Filipino visited its Southeast Asian neighbor, ranking as the 9th most visited destination by Filipinos.
Ho Chi Minh, named after the first president of Vietnam’s republic who played an instrumental role in the defeat of French forces, is a historical city. It is a bustling economic and commercial hub.
Tourists can visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Opera House, and the Bến Thành Market. The city is also home to the famous Cafe Apartments, a nine-story building filled with coffee shops.
If Filipinos are suddenly missing home, there are Jollibee stores scattered around Vietnam — with its 200th branch located in District 6 in Ho Chi Minh. – Rappler.com