November 2026

AmaMaya to Begin Mekong Sailings in January 2027

AmaMaya, the newest Mekong river ship from AmaWaterways, will begin operations on January 2027, sailing between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The ship features 60 staterooms. Its contemporary design incorporates Southeast Asian art, textiles and regional influences.

AmaMaya will offer two 8-day/7-night itineraries, Charms of the Mekong and Riches of the Mekong, exploring riverside communities, traditional crafts and cultural sites across both countries.

Vietjet to Launch Direct Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Western Sydney (WSI)

New route launching on 9 January 2027. 

To be operated by Airbus A330.

• VJ87/ SGN–WSI / 21:20-10:00 (+1) / 26

• VJ88/ WSI–SGN / 12:05–16:30 / 37

Vietjet Launches Hanoi (HAN) – Prague (PRG) with a stop in Almaty (ALA)

New route launched on 10 October 2026.

Operated by Airbus A330.

• VJ031 / HAN–ALA / 08:25–12:50 / 26

• VJ031 / ALA–PRG / 14:20–18:55 / 26

• VJ032 / PRG–ALA / 20:55–06:40 (+1) / 26

• VJ032 / ALA–HAN / 08:10–16:20 / 37

Akasa Air Launches Direct Flight Mumbai (BOM) – Hanoi (HAN)

New route launched on 04 September 2026.

Operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8.

• QP625 / BOM–HAN / 05:35–12:00 / 1567

• QP626 / HAN–BOM / 13:30–17:10 / 1567

IndiGo Launches Direct Flight Mumbai (BOM) – Hanoi (HAN)

New route launched on 25 October 2026.

Flight schedule:

Operated by Airbus A321neo

• 6E1637 / BOM–HAN / 04:15–10:00 / Daily

• 6E1638 / HAN–BOM / 19:05–23:05 / Daily

Sun PhuQuoc Airways to Launch Direct Hanoi (HAN) – Hong Kong (HKG)

New route launched on 30 September 2026. 

Operated by Airbus A330.

• 9G530 / HAN–HKG / 09:20–12:05 / Daily

• 9G531 / HKG–HAN / 13:05–14:00 / Daily

Ca Mau Airport Expected to Reopen in November

Ca Mau Airport is expected to reopen in late November 2026, following upgrades to accommodate Airbus A320/A321 aircraft. Vietnam Airlines plans to operate a daily service from Ho Chi Minh City.

LAOS

Lao Airlines Adds Siem Reap Connections

Started in October 2026.

• Vientiane (VTE) ↔ Siem Reap (SAI) / 246 / Stop at Pakse 

• Luang Prabang (LPQ) ↔ Siem Reap (SAI) / 246 / Stop at Pakse

• Pakse (PKZ) ↔ Siem Reap (SAI) / 246 / Direct service

Vang Vieng’s Glass Bridge Expected to Open in Late 2026

Laos’ first glass suspension bridge in Huay Sangao village, Vang Vieng, will stretch 228 metres, rising 128 metres above the valley floor with panoramic limestone views. A cliff lift, viewpoint and leisure facilities are also planned.

CAMBODIA

IndiGo Restarts Direct Kolkata (CCU) – Siem Reap (SAI)

Relaunched direct flights in October 2026.

Operated by Airbus A320neo.

• 6E1655 / CCU–SAI / 01:50–06:20 / 146

• 6E1656 / SAI–CCU / 07:20–08:55 / 146

TUI SUNEO Olympia Phnom Penh Opens

Opened in September 2026, TUI SUNEO Olympia Phnom Penh is the brand’s first hotel in Cambodia. 

Formerly Olympia City Hotel by Dara, it offers 168 rooms with private balconies, a pool, dining, wellness and meeting facilities near the Olympic Stadium — a budget-friendly option for leisure travellers, families, groups and business guests.

Tini Tinou Circus Festival Returns to Cambodia

The 13th Tini Tinou International Circus Festival will bring together over 100 artists from 10 countries for circus shows, street performances, parades, workshops and craft markets.

• Siem Reap | 17–19 November 2026: Phare, The Cambodian Circus, and locations across the city.

• Battambang | 21–24 November 2026: Phare Ponleu Selpak Campus and public spaces.

A colourful addition to cultural itineraries combining both cities.

Photo Phnom Penh 2026 – Cambodia Through the Lens

Photo Phnom Penh Festival showcases Cambodian and international photography through exhibitions and outdoor installations. Under the theme “At Home in the World”, the 17th edition explores identity, memory and belonging, combining historical photographs with contemporary works.

Dates / Venue: Until 22 November 2026.

• Techo International Airport
• Institut français du Cambodge (IFC)
• National Museum of Cambodia
• Bophana Centre
• French Embassy’s exterior wall
• Friends Futures Factory (F3)
• Hiroshima House Cambodia
• Studio Images House of Photography
• Vann Molyvann House
• Ti’Samjort
• Lumière

Lồng Tồng: Welcoming Spring at Thái Hải Village

Meaning “Going to the Field”, Lồng Tồng is a traditional Tày and Nùng festival celebrating hopes for favourable weather, abundant harvests and peace.

Expected to take place on 11 February 2027, the festival will feature agricultural rituals, ceremonial ploughing, còn ball throwing, Then singing, tính lute music and traditional games.

Venue: Thái Hải Ecological Ethnic Stilt House Village, Tân Cương Commune, Thái Nguyên Province — approximately 70 km from Hanoi.

Travel Tips:

• Option 1 – Day trip from Hanoi: Depart early to arrive in time for the main ceremonies.

• Option 2 – Overnight stay: Stay the night before for a fuller village experience and an early start for the ceremonies.

Note: Book early, as accommodation in the village is limited.

Ben Xuan Garden House | A Private Cultural Evening in Hue 

Set beside the Perfume River, Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre combines traditional Hue architecture, art, music and cuisine.

Created by Camille Huyen and Truong Dinh Ngo, the experience can include a house and garden visit, an intimate performance blending Vietnamese and Western music, and lunch or dinner.

Two New Tables in Central Vietnam

Viet Deli’s two new seafood restaurants offer additional options for group dining:

• Bếp 12 Mùa – Da Nang: Opened in June 2026, this 250-seat restaurant celebrates seasonal Vietnamese flavours, with signature lobster bánh xèo prepared tableside.

• Đi Chợ Hội An – Hoi An: Opened in July 2026, this 200-seat restaurant serves local seafood in a heritage-inspired setting, with market visits and cooking experiences.