Vietnam’s Biggest City Is Now a Short Hop From Clark

Travellers in Central and Northern Luzon no longer need to battle Manila to reach southern Vietnam. VietJet began nonstop flights between Clark International Airport and Ho Chi Minh City on November 10, its first service at Clark and, according to Aviation Week, the only nonstop between the two cities. The route runs three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and is part of a broader push by the Vietnamese low-cost carrier into the Philippines.

The timings suit an afternoon departure. Flight VJ1871 leaves Clark at 5:05 p.m. and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City at 6:35 p.m. local time, while the return, VJ1870, departs Ho Chi Minh City at 12:30 p.m. and lands at Clark at 4:05 p.m. VietJet advertised promotional one-way economy fares from $75 including taxes for bookings made on Fridays, and passengers can connect onward within Vietnam to Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Hue on the airline’s domestic network.

Clark is not the only addition. VietJet is now also flying Ho Chi Minh City–Cebu and Hanoi–Cebu, each three times a week, alongside its long-running Ho Chi Minh City–Manila service. The airline also plans Da Nang–Osaka Kansai flights from December 20. For Clark’s operator, LIPAD, the new route is a sign that airlines see value in the large catchment area north of Metro Manila, where travellers have long had to drive into the capital for most international flights.

For Filipino travellers, Ho Chi Minh City offers an easy short-haul city break, with street food, colonial architecture and day trips to the Mekong Delta. Vietnamese visitors gain direct access to Clark’s nearby attractions and to Subic Bay. As with any low-cost carrier, check what the base fare includes before paying, since bags and seat selection are typically extra, and confirm entry requirements for your nationality before travelling.

Sources: PortCalls Asia, Aviation Week