TAT and Vietnam Airlines deepen tourism cooperation

TAT and Vietnam Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen tourism cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam. This cooperation is part of the Thailand-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the official visit to Thailand of H.E. General To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The visit took place from 27 to 29 May 2026. The Memorandum of Understanding aims to increase air access between the two countries and make travel between Thailand and Vietnam more seamless. 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. Vietnam Airlines also announced its new Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket service, which will start on 2 July 2026 with 4 weekly flights. This service will increase air access to Phuket from Vietnam and may lead to more tourists visiting Phuket from Vietnam. The partnership between TAT and Vietnam Airlines will also include joint marketing, international tourism fairs, buyer engagement, promotional content, tourism workshops, familiarisation trips, Mega FAM Trips, official visits, media and influencer activities, and market information exchange. A Joint Working Group will guide implementation and maintain coordination between both parties. TAT continues to build Thailand’s presence in Viet Nam through partnerships with travel platforms, tour operators, financial partners, and tourism organisations. Current activities focus on Thailand travel packages, water-based tourism experiences, ASEAN-linked routes, sport tourism, and digital communication under the “5 Must Do in Thailand” concept. TAT is also using key sales platforms, including Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2026 and Vietnam Travel Mart 2026, to drive package sales, deepen trade engagement, and present Thailand as a diverse, accessible, and value-led destination for Vietnamese travellers. Vietnam is one of Thailand’s important short-haul markets, with 219,986 Vietnamese arrivals recorded from 1 January to 25 May 2026. Demand is supported by proximity, air access, and interest in flexible, value-for-money travel, while Thailand’s events, shopping, lifestyle experiences, and summer family appeal continue to encourage repeat visits.

What happened

TAT and Vietnam Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen tourism cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam. This cooperation is part of the Thailand-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the official visit to Thailand of H.E. General To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The visit took place from 27 to 29 May 2026. The Memorandum of Understanding aims to increase air access between the two countries and make travel between Thailand and Vietnam more seamless. 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. Vietnam Airlines also announced its new Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket service, which will start on 2 July 2026 with 4 weekly flights. This service will increase air access to Phuket from Vietnam and may lead to more tourists visiting Phuket from Vietnam. The partnership between TAT and Vietnam Airlines will also include joint marketing, international tourism fairs, buyer engagement, promotional content, tourism workshops, familiarisation trips, Mega FAM Trips, official visits, media and influencer activities, and market information exchange. A Joint Working Group will guide implementation and maintain coordination between both parties. TAT continues to build Thailand’s presence in Viet Nam through partnerships with travel platforms, tour operators, financial partners, and tourism organisations. Current activities focus on Thailand travel packages, water-based tourism experiences, ASEAN-linked routes, sport tourism, and digital communication under the “5 Must Do in Thailand” concept. TAT is also using key sales platforms, including Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2026 and Vietnam Travel Mart 2026, to drive package sales, deepen trade engagement, and present Thailand as a diverse, accessible, and value-led destination for Vietnamese travellers. Vietnam is one of Thailand’s important short-haul markets, with 219,986 Vietnamese arrivals recorded from 1 January to 25 May 2026. Demand is supported by proximity, air access, and interest in flexible, value-for-money travel, while Thailand’s events, shopping, lifestyle experiences, and summer family appeal continue to encourage repeat visits.

Background and context

The development matters for buyers comparing Phuket districts, rental demand, and exit liquidity against Thailand’s broader 2026 market backdrop.

Why it matters for Phuket buyers

For Phuket property buyers, headlines like this shape foreign demand, short-stay rental flow, and how quickly investors move from research to a viewing or offer.

Source: TAT News

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