Philippine Airlines (PAL) is set to expand its flight services from Cebu with an exciting new route. Following the relaunch of its Cebu to Osaka services, PAL will introduce nonstop flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City. This will provide the first direct air service connecting Central Visayas with Vietnam’s main commercial hub. The new route is scheduled to begin on May 2, 2025, with three flights per week.
The Cebu-Ho Chi Minh City-Cebu flights aim to accommodate the rising number of Filipinos traveling to Vietnam. In 2024, around 216,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam, making it the ninth most popular destination for Filipino travelers. The airline expects the new route to encourage more tourism and business exchanges between the two countries.
PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Captain Stanley K. Ng shared his enthusiasm for the expansion. “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,” he said. “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 and Aircraft Details
The flights from Cebu to Ho Chi Minh City will depart from Mactan-Cebu International Airport every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The return service will leave Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. PAL will operate the route using Airbus A321 aircraft, which can accommodate 199 passengers in Business Class and Economy Class.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a popular tourist destination known for landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Opera House, and Bến Thành Market. Visitors can also enjoy local delicacies like bánh mì, bánh xèo, and cơm tấm, often paired with traditional iced milk coffee.
Cebu offers a mix of urban lifestyle and natural attractions, with a 200-km coastline featuring coral reefs and luxury resorts. Tourists can enjoy activities such as boating and scuba diving. PAL supports the Department of Tourism (DoT) and local travel agencies in attracting more Vietnamese visitors, with 58,000 Vietnamese tourists arriving in the Philippines in 2024.
Increased Manila-Hanoi Flights for Better Connectivity
In addition to the Cebu-Ho Chi Minh City route, PAL will increase its Manila-Hanoi flights to daily service from the current five times per week starting April 1, 2025. This will provide more convenient travel between Manila and Hanoi, which is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.
PAL’s expanded Vietnam services complement its existing eight weekly flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City. The early morning arrivals in Cebu will also allow seamless connections to PAL’s domestic destinations and international flights to Osaka and Tokyo Narita.
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