Vietnam Airlines now gives Sri Lanka travelers a nonstop link to Ho Chi Minh City three times a week, but the most useful detail is not the ceremonial water salute—it is how the schedule changes the way you should plan your trip. Flight VN671 inaugurated the route on August 16, 2026, connecting Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) directly with Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Vietnam Airlines confirms the new route on its official Colombo booking page.
The inaugural Airbus A320 reached Colombo at 11:02 p.m., where Airport and Aviation Services welcomed it with a traditional water salute. The first arrival carried 164 passengers, while 172 passengers boarded the return service to Vietnam.
When Do Vietnam Airlines Colombo–Ho Chi Minh Flights Operate?
The route operates three round trips each week, so choosing the right travel day matters more than on a daily service. Published schedules list VN671 from Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with return flight VN670 leaving Colombo on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
| Route | Flight | Operating days |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City → Colombo | VN671 | Wednesday, Friday, Sunday |
| Colombo → Ho Chi Minh City | VN670 | Monday, Thursday, Saturday |
| Frequency | — | 3 round trips weekly |
Before traveling, check the Vietnam Airlines booking system and Bandaranaike Airport flight information, because airline schedules can change after a route launch.
The VN670 Midnight Departure Can Easily Catch Travelers Out
Colombo passengers should pay particular attention to the date because the return flight is scheduled after midnight. The standard published timetable places VN670 at 00:35, meaning a Monday departure requires passengers to reach Bandaranaike Airport on Sunday night, not Monday evening.
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Consider a traveler booking a hotel through Monday because the ticket says “Monday.” That traveler could miss the flight entirely. For any departure between midnight and 2 a.m., check the calendar date, airport-arrival date and hotel checkout date separately.
Is Colombo to Hanoi Now a Direct Vietnam Airlines Flight?
No. The new nonstop service connects Colombo specifically with Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam Airlines also sells Colombo itineraries to Hanoi, Da Nang and other destinations, but those journeys involve onward connections rather than a new Colombo–Hanoi nonstop flight. The airline’s current Sri Lanka booking page lists Ho Chi Minh City alongside onward destinations including Hanoi and Da Nang.
That distinction matters when comparing fares: always check whether a search result says “nonstop” or includes a connection.
How Long Is the Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City Flight?
Plan around the timetable rather than a rounded flight-time estimate. Some launch-day reports described the journey as approximately 4½ hours, while the published schedule blocks about 5 hours 20 minutes westbound and roughly 5 hours 10 minutes on the return.
For passengers, scheduled departure and arrival times are the numbers that matter for airport transfers, hotel bookings and connecting flights.
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Vietnam Airlines Has a Useful Baggage Offer on the New Colombo Route
Eligible passengers can currently receive one additional baggage piece on the Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City route. Vietnam Airlines says the promotion allows up to two pieces, excludes Economy Super Lite, requires ticket purchase by September 15, 2026, and covers eligible travel through October 31, 2026. Check the fare conditions before purchase rather than assuming every ticket includes the offer.
What Should Travelers Check Before Booking VN671 or VN670?
Three checks can prevent most first-month route problems:
- Check the operating day, because the service is not daily.
- Treat an after-midnight VN670 as a previous-evening airport trip.
- Confirm whether your onward Vietnam itinerary is nonstop or connecting.
The water salute marked the headline moment, but the real gain for travelers is simpler: Sri Lanka and Vietnam now have a practical nonstop link that removes the need for an intermediate airport on the Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City journey.
