For Phuket property owners, rental demand is not just about European winter visitors. The question now is whether closer air links with Southeast Asian markets can add volume, fill mid-season gaps, and create more stable occupancy.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam Airlines on 28 May 2026, focusing on route expansion and joint marketing. The agreement was signed during an official state visit marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam.
As an early result, Vietnam Airlines announced a new Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket service starting 2 July 2026, with four weekly flights.
What the announcement includes
The MOU sets out a working partnership on route development and flight frequency. Priority routes include Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, Da Nang to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket, and Hanoi to Chiang Mai.
The new Phuket service is the first confirmed outcome. It connects southern Vietnam directly with Phuket, removing the need for a Bangkok stopover.
The agreement also covers joint marketing, trade engagement, familiarisation trips, tourism workshops, and market information sharing. A Joint Working Group will coordinate implementation.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the MOU is intended to connect market demand with routes, strengthen trade confidence, and position Thailand as a preferred destination for Vietnamese travellers and a regional gateway within ASEAN.
Why this matters for Phuket property
Direct flights from Vietnam do not only increase tourist arrivals. They may also affect rental demand patterns in Phuket, particularly for villa owners, agents and investors focused on short-stay or holiday rental income.
Vietnam is geographically close to Thailand. Flight times are short. The new service makes Phuket more accessible for weekend breaks, long weekends, public holidays and family trips—demand types that differ from European long-haul bookings.
Between 1 January and 25 May 2026, Thailand recorded 219,986 Vietnamese arrivals. TAT described Vietnam as an important short-haul market supported by proximity, air access, and interest in value-for-money travel.
If the new route increases Vietnamese visitor numbers to Phuket, rental property owners may see more bookings during shoulder months, national holidays and school breaks in Vietnam. The pattern may differ from traditional European high season.
What the broader strategy suggests
The MOU is part of a wider push by TAT to strengthen Thailand’s presence in Vietnam. Current activities include partnerships with travel platforms, tour operators and tourism organisations. TAT is also promoting Thailand travel packages, water-based tourism, ASEAN-linked routes, sport tourism and digital communication campaigns.
TAT is using sales platforms such as Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2026 and Vietnam Travel Mart 2026 to drive package sales and trade engagement.
For Phuket, the focus on flexible, accessible travel from Southeast Asia may support demand outside the European winter months. The question for property owners is whether increased frequency and marketing lead to measurable occupancy changes in villa and apartment rental segments.
What remains to be seen
Four weekly flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket is a start, but the impact on rental demand will depend on load factors, fare structures, package tour uptake and how effectively Vietnam-based travel agents promote Phuket.
It is not yet clear whether Vietnamese visitors to Phuket will favour hotels, serviced apartments or private villas, or what the average length of stay and spending patterns will be.
The MOU mentions route development and additional frequencies, but no further Phuket routes from Vietnam have been confirmed yet. Whether Hanoi–Phuket becomes viable, and whether other carriers follow, will depend on demand and profitability.
For now, the announcement signals that Southeast Asian air access to Phuket is being prioritised. For property investors and rental operators, the detail worth watching is whether the new service translates into higher occupancy rates and more stable year-round demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket flight start?
Vietnam Airlines is scheduled to launch the service on 2 July 2026, operating four flights per week. The route was announced as part of a tourism cooperation agreement signed between TAT and Vietnam Airlines on 28 May 2026.
How many Vietnamese visitors came to Thailand in early 2026?
Thailand recorded 219,986 Vietnamese arrivals between 1 January and 25 May 2026. TAT described Vietnam as an important short-haul market supported by proximity, air access and interest in value-for-money travel.
Could this affect Phuket rental demand?
It may. Direct flights from Vietnam could increase visitor numbers to Phuket, particularly during Vietnamese public holidays, school breaks and long weekends. The pattern may differ from European high-season demand, potentially adding occupancy during shoulder months.
Are more routes planned?
The MOU outlines priority routes including Hanoi to Chiang Mai, Da Nang to Bangkok, and others. No additional Phuket routes from Vietnam have been confirmed yet. Further route expansion will depend on demand and commercial viability.
What does the MOU include beyond flights?
The agreement covers joint marketing, tourism fairs, buyer engagement, promotional content, familiarisation trips, media activities and market information exchange. A Joint Working Group will coordinate implementation between TAT and Vietnam Airlines.
Sources
- TAT Newsroom — TAT and Vietnam Airlines deepen tourism cooperation as Thailand and Viet Nam mark 50 years of diplomatic relations — link
