Vietnamese airline Sun PhuQuoc Airways has announced that it will launch a direct Shanghai-Ho Chi Minh City route on October 15, operating seven flights per week.
The route will mark the airline’s first daily direct service to China. Previously, Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ mainland China network only included routes connecting Chengdu to Phu Quoc Island (three weekly flights) and Ho Chi Minh City (four weekly flights).
Following the launch of the Shanghai-Ho Chi Minh City route, the airline plans to introduce Shanghai-Hanoi flights in November and Shanghai-Phu Quoc flights in March 2027.
Beyond Shanghai, Sun PhuQuoc Airways also plans to gradually add more China routes, including Shenzhen-Phu Quoc, Shenzhen-Hanoi, Beijing-Phu Quoc, Beijing-Ho Chi Minh City, and Chongqing-Phu Quoc services.
The scale of the expansion is notable given that Sun PhuQuoc Airways only began commercial operations in November 2025.
Since its launch, the carrier has rapidly expanded across Asia, opening routes to destinations including Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Just 10 months into operations, the airline’s rapid network expansion has been supported by the fast growth of its fleet.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways currently operates 20 aircraft and aims to increase its fleet to 32 by the end of 2026, including 28 narrow-body and four wide-body aircraft. By 2030, the airline plans to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft, comprising 60 narrow-body and 40 wide-body jets.
Starting in 2031, the airline will also begin taking delivery of 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Its long-term goal is to build a modern fleet of 150 aircraft by 2035, including 80 narrow-body and 70 wide-body jets, and develop Sun PhuQuoc Airways into a world-class international carrier.
Behind the airline is Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s leading tourism and resort conglomerates.
Sun Group’s core businesses include theme parks and hotels, with a broader ecosystem spanning tourism and entertainment, hospitality, real estate, infrastructure, aviation, finance, and healthcare. The group operates 22 five-star hotels and resorts, as well as golf courses, and nine theme parks and amusement parks across Vietnam.
The group’s tourism ecosystem has now expanded further into airports and aviation.
Sun Group first developed and began operating Van Don International Airport, Vietnam’s first international airport fully funded and operated by a private company. Located in the Van Don Economic Zone near Ha Long Bay, the airport was developed to serve tourism demand in the region.
The group later invested in the development of Phan Thiet Airport, strengthening aviation connectivity to Vietnam’s southern coastal tourism destinations.
Sun Group has also taken over operations of Phu Quoc International Airport and invested heavily in its expansion. The airport serves as the main base for Sun PhuQuoc Airways.
With the development of airports and aviation networks, Sun Group is extending its business model into an integrated ecosystem of “airport + tourism destination + airline.”
