On 10 August 2026, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province held a working session to review every remaining preparation for the launch of the Dong Hoi – Cam Ranh air route. Chairing the meeting, Standing Vice Chairman Hoang Nam asked all departments to “continue reviewing and finalising the plan in a comprehensive, synchronised manner”. The key date is now fixed: on 16 August 2026, the first flight connecting Quang Tri with Khanh Hoa will land at Dong Hoi Airport.
For the travel trade at both ends, this is more than one extra domestic sector. It is the first time the Phong Nha – Ke Bang cave heritage region and Nha Trang, Vietnam's best-known beach capital, are linked by a direct flight, cutting an 800 km road journey down to roughly 1 hour 20 minutes in the air. This article covers the full event calendar, what the route means for tourism on both sides, and how to build a complete “caves and islands” itinerary from the opening week onwards.
Launch calendar: the dates that matter
Under the plan reviewed on 10 August, activities tied to the new route do not stop at the first departure. They run into September, with the centre of gravity in Nha Trang itself:
| Date | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 2026 | Welcome ceremony for the first flight on the Dong Hoi – Cam Ranh route, plus a celebration programme | Dong Hoi Airport and Dong Hoi ward |
| 8–12 Sep 2026 | Destination familiarisation trip (famtrip) for tour operators | Nha Trang and Da Lat |
| 11–12 Sep 2026 | Roadshow promoting Quang Tri culture and tourism | 2/4 Square, Nha Trang |
The sequencing shows that Quang Tri treats 16 August as a starting line rather than a finish line. The flight delivers the infrastructure; the famtrip and roadshow are what actually push Quang Tri products into the sales systems of operators working the south-central market.
What Quang Tri is preparing for opening day
At the meeting, provincial leaders stressed preparation that is comprehensive and synchronised – meaning the workload does not sit with the transport or tourism department alone. Airport reception, the celebration performance, communications before and during the event, and the readiness of tourism products for a new stream of visitors all have to line up.
The stated objectives are clear: to introduce and promote the image, people, culture and potential of the province, and to tap the international arrivals already coming into Vietnam through Cam Ranh Airport while building tourism links between the two provinces. That second point is the commercially interesting one, and it is why this route matters beyond local travel demand.
Schedule and frequency
The Dong Hoi – Cam Ranh route is operated by Sun PhuQuoc Airways using narrow-body Airbus A320/A321 aircraft seating around 200 passengers. According to the published operating plan:
- Frequency: 3 return flights per week, on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
- Dong Hoi → Cam Ranh: scheduled departure 12:05, arrival 13:25.
- Cam Ranh → Dong Hoi: scheduled departure 14:05, arrival 15:30.
The midday slot works well for leisure travellers: you still get breakfast and an unhurried check-out at one end and reach your hotel at the other before late afternoon, instead of losing a whole day the way red-eye flights tend to do. Around the same time the airline also operates Dong Hoi – Hanoi with one daily return flight, a sign that Dong Hoi Airport is being repositioned as a genuine gateway to the heritage region.
Note that these are scheduled times under the published plan. Check your e-ticket before departure, since timings on a brand-new route are often adjusted during the first few weeks.
Why this route matters at both ends
Before the direct flight, Quang Tri and Khanh Hoa barely exchanged visitors at all. The road distance was punishing, and connecting via Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang pushed total travel time to 6–8 hours at a meaningful cost. Two of central Vietnam's strongest destinations – one built on caves and heritage, the other on beaches and resorts – therefore developed almost independently of each other.
For Quang Tri, the route opens access to the high-spending visitors concentrated in Nha Trang, including international arrivals flying straight into Cam Ranh from South Korea, China, Russia and other Northeast Asian markets. For that segment, adding 1 hour 20 minutes of flying to reach a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site is an attractive extension to a beach holiday.
For Khanh Hoa, it means an additional flow of visitors from the north-central provinces and the north transiting through Dong Hoi, plus a new multi-destination product to sell to international travellers who want beaches and caves in the same Vietnam trip.
September famtrip and roadshow: Quang Tri sells itself in Nha Trang
The most notable addition to the plan is a promotion campaign staged in the target market itself. From 8 to 12 September 2026, a familiarisation trip will visit Nha Trang and Da Lat, the two biggest distribution hubs in the south-central coast and the Central Highlands. Immediately afterwards, on 11–12 September 2026, a roadshow promoting Quang Tri culture and tourism takes place at 2/4 Square in Nha Trang, the busiest public space in the beach city.
For operators in Nha Trang, this is the moment to refresh their Quang Tri product before the year-end high season. For travellers, the two events signal that combined Phong Nha – Nha Trang itineraries will become more frequent from Q4 2026, with more competitive pricing as more companies work the route.
Go365: tours at both ends, departing in both directions every day
Go365 is an online travel platform operating across Vietnam and headquartered in Nha Trang, and it has products ready at both ends of the new route. The practical difference: whichever direction you fly, a tour is waiting for you. Departures run in both directions every day, and a group only needs a minimum of 4 travellers to go – no waiting for a large coach group to fill up.
The Dong Hoi – Quang Tri end: caves and heritage
From Dong Hoi Airport it is about an hour's drive (45–50 km) to the Phong Nha area. Popular choices on Go365:
- Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave day tour – the two signature caves in one day, ideal if Quang Tri gets only one full day in your plan.
- Phong Nha Cave and Nuoc Mooc Spring – a river cave paired with an eco spring site, good for families with children.
- The 4.5 km deep route inside Phong Nha Cave – for travellers who want more than the standard sightseeing section.
- Dong Hoi night food tour – the right call for your first evening if you land late and do not want to travel far.
The Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa end: islands and resorts
Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) sits 35–40 km from central Nha Trang along the coastal road. Landing at 13:25 leaves you a full afternoon to start the trip:
- Nha Trang 3-island tour and the 3-island Mini Beach – Hon Tam tour – the best-selling snorkelling products.
- Amazing Day – snorkelling and beach BBQ – a full-day tour with lunch on the island.
- Thap Ba mud bath and I-Resort hot mineral springs – gentler options for an arrival afternoon.
- Nha Trang – Cam Ranh Airport transfers – priced clearly before you book, with no roadside negotiation.
Why the 4-traveller minimum matters
On a new route running three return flights a week, passenger volumes start thin. If a tour needs 10–15 people before it departs, most small groups and independent travellers end up holding a boarding pass with no tour to join. A minimum of 4 travellers means a family of four, or two couples travelling together, can confirm dates in the opening week instead of waiting. Combined with daily departures in both directions, you keep control of the direction of travel: start in Dong Hoi and finish in Nha Trang, or the reverse, depending on which flight you can book.
Beyond tours, Go365 covers the logistics around the flight: airport transfers at both ends, tours and activity tickets in Nha Trang and nearby destinations such as Da Lat, Ninh Thuan and Mui Ne, and travel eSIMs so international visitors have 4G/5G the moment they leave the terminal.
Suggested Phong Nha – Nha Trang itineraries
5 days / 4 nights (flying Dong Hoi → Cam Ranh)
- Day 1: arrive in Dong Hoi, check in, afternoon at Nhat Le or Bao Ninh beach, evening food tour.
- Day 2: full day in Phong Nha – Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave.
- Day 3: morning at the historical sites, midday flight Dong Hoi – Cam Ranh (12:05 – 13:25), afternoon check-in in Nha Trang and a walk along Tran Phu beach.
- Day 4: island tour, snorkelling and seafood lunch.
- Day 5: mud bath or shopping in the morning, afternoon transfer to Cam Ranh Airport.
4 days / 3 nights (flying Cam Ranh → Dong Hoi)
- Day 1: arrive at Cam Ranh, transfer to Nha Trang, relaxed afternoon or a mud bath.
- Day 2: full-day island tour.
- Day 3: midday flight Cam Ranh – Dong Hoi (14:05 – 15:30), afternoon in central Dong Hoi, evening food tour.
- Day 4: Phong Nha day tour, late afternoon transfer to the airport or onward flight to Hanoi.
Because the route only operates on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, lock in your flight dates first and build the sightseeing around them. Doing it the other way round often leaves a wasted day in the middle. A full comparison of ways to reach Quang Tri – Quang Binh by air, rail and coach is in our guide on how to get to Quang Binh.
Practical notes for the opening weeks
- Times may change: these are scheduled times – check your e-ticket before you travel.
- Book airport transfers in advance: both Dong Hoi and Cam Ranh sit well outside the hotel areas, and pre-booking fixes the price.
- Favour flexible cancellation during the first weeks of any new route.
- Baggage: on short-sector A320/A321 services, add checked baggage when booking rather than at the airport.
- International visitors: activate an eSIM before leaving the terminal so you can use maps and contact your driver.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Dong Hoi – Cam Ranh route launch?
On 16 August 2026. The welcome ceremony for the first flight takes place at Dong Hoi Airport, with a celebration programme in Dong Hoi ward.
How many flights per week?
Under the published plan, 3 return flights per week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, operated by Sun PhuQuoc Airways with Airbus A320/A321 aircraft.
How long is the flight from Dong Hoi to Nha Trang?
About 1 hour 20 minutes, replacing an 800 km road journey. Add 35–40 km from Cam Ranh Airport into central Nha Trang.
Does Go365 run tours at both the Dong Hoi and Nha Trang ends?
Yes. Go365 operates tours at both ends, with daily departures in both directions and a minimum of just 4 travellers, plus airport transfer services at Cam Ranh and Dong Hoi.
Is Quang Tri running any promotion in Nha Trang?
Yes. A destination familiarisation trip covering Nha Trang and Da Lat runs 8–12 September 2026, and a roadshow promoting Quang Tri culture and tourism is held at 2/4 Square, Nha Trang on 11–12 September 2026.
The bottom line
Once caves and islands are only 1 hour 20 minutes apart, itineraries that used to be dismissed as “too far to combine” become entirely practical. 16 August 2026 opens the door; the September famtrip and roadshow push the product into distribution. The rest – airport pickups, daily departures at both ends, a four-traveller minimum – is what Go365 has already prepared so your trip flows from the moment the aircraft touches down.
Sources: the 10 August 2026 review meeting on preparations for the Dong Hoi – Cam Ranh route launch held by the People's Committee of Quang Tri province (via Bao Dau Tu), combined with the published operating plan of Sun PhuQuoc Airways.
Read more: The Hue – Phong Nha tourist train from 28 August 2026 · Quang Binh travel guide · Quang Binh 3-day, 2-night itinerary
