AirAsia Philippines mounts direct flights to Hanoi, Da Nang
Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines will launch direct flights to two of Vietnam's most popular cities as part of its goal to become the go-to airline for Filipinos seeking to travel across Southeast Asia on a budget.
AirAsia Philippines will begin flights from Manila to Hanoi and Da Nang on March 20, as part of its network expansion to reinforce its growing presence in the region.
Suresh Bangah, the chief executive officer (CEO) and president of AirAsia Philippines, said the addition of the two routes affirms the airline’s commitment to becoming a leader in the budget travel market.
“Our hope is to give Filipino travelers more choices, better value, and easier access to exciting destinations in Southeast Asia,” said Bangah.
With the upcoming launch of the two flights, local travelers would have another option when visiting Vietnam, which already ranks among the most visited destinations for Filipinos.
Based on data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), 482,173 travelers from the Philippines visited the Southeast Asian country in 2025. In total, Vietnam recorded 21.2 million foreign arrivals last year.
Among the most popular destinations are Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and Da Nang, known for its scenic Golden Bridge.
To promote the launch of direct flights between the two cities, AirAsia Philippines is offering introductory one-way base fares as low as ₱888, exclusive of fees and surcharges, until Feb. 1.
The promo travel period will begin on March 20 and conclude on Oct. 25.
AirAsia Philippines will operate weekly flights to Hanoi and Da Nang every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with departure schedules set between the afternoon and evening.
But aside from bringing more Filipinos to Vietnam, Bangah said the new flight also aims to attract more visitors to the country, which is experiencing a slump in tourism numbers.
“We also aim to bring more tourists to the Philippines to contribute to economic growth,” he said.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said the arrival of foreign tourists fell to 5.24 million from January to November last year, compared to 5.35 million in the same period in 2024.
Over the recent months, AirAsia Philippines has been focused on expanding its network to widen its domestic and international reach in the country.
The airline earlier reopened its Cebu hub to connect the province to over 160 destinations under the Malaysia-based AirAsia Group, formally known as Capital A Berhad.