Sun PhuQuoc Airways launches direct Chengdu-Ho Chi Minh flight

Vietnam's Sun PhuQuoc Airways has launched a direct route between Chengdu in Southwest China's Sichuan province and Ho Chi Minh City, expanding its presence in the Chinese market as it seeks to tap growing travel demand between China and Southeast Asia.

The new service, inaugurated on Wednesday, operates four flights a week and complements the carrier's existing Chengdu-Phu Quoc route, which began operating in July.

With the addition of the Ho Chi Minh City service, the airline now offers seven round-trip flights per week between Chengdu and Vietnam, allowing passengers to combine visits to multiple destinations in southern Vietnam through a single travel itinerary.

The carrier said the dual-route strategy reflects its efforts to move beyond point-to-point connections and build a broader network linking major Chinese cities with multiple destinations in Vietnam.

China remains a priority market for the airline's expansion plans, supported by the country's large outbound travel base and Chengdu's role as a transportation hub for southwestern China and neighboring provinces.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways said it plans to further expand its network in China, targeting destinations including Shanghai and Shenzhen in Guangdong province. The airline is also pursuing new routes to Malaysia, India, Japan, Russia and Kazakhstan.

The airline, a full-service carrier owned by Vietnam's Sun Group, began operations in November 2025 and launched its first international route in March this year.

To promote the new route, the carrier is offering discounted fares are available for group bookings made between Aug 4 and Sept 4 for travel through March 31, 2027.