A new Buddhist pilgrimage tour package, "Buddha Wandana", was launched in Colombo on yesterday (16) to promote Sri Lanka as a leading destination for Buddhist tourism, ahead of the commencement of direct flights between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka from 18 August 2026.
The initiative, proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, aims to attract Buddhist pilgrims from Viet Nam and other East Asian countries while generating economic benefits for local communities, tourism service providers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and rural livelihoods.
Speaking at the launch, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Buddhika Hewawasam, said the tourism sector continues to play a vital role in Sri Lanka's economic recovery. He noted the growing tourism links between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam and said the new Buddhist trail package would help diversify the country's tourism offerings and expand its presence in the Vietnamese market.
Viet Nam's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Trinh Thi Tam, welcomed the initiative and expressed confidence that tourism cooperation between the two countries would continue to expand into other sectors. She said the Buddhist trail package would appeal to a wider segment of Vietnamese travellers.
Chairman of St Andrew Travel Company, Mahen Kariyawasam, acknowledged the support of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism (ASMET) in making the initiative possible.
The launch marks another step in strengthening Sri Lanka's position as a premier destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and cultural tourism. Direct flights between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka are scheduled to begin on 18 August 2026, enhancing tourism and connectivity between the two countries.
