“Buddha Wandana”, a dedicated Buddhist Trail tour package, aiming at attracting Buddhist pilgrims from Vietnam and other countries from East Asia was launched in Colombo today (16) to coincide with the arrival of direct flights from Viet Nam. 

The initiative, proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, is expected to generate wide-ranging economic benefits by driving tourism to villages and communities, creating opportunities for local tourism service providers, SMEs and rural livelihoods, while advancing the Government's policy of inclusive economic growth. 

Addressing the event, Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) highlighted the tourism sector's significant contribution to the economic recovery of the country, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. 

He emphasized links between Vietnam and Sri Lanka through inbound and outbound tourism where both sectors marked significant growth over the last year. 

He further stated that initiatives such as the Buddhist trail will help diversify Sri Lanka’s tourism and cultural attractions, while enhancing better market access in the Viet Nam, the statement said. 

Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Trinh Thi Tam, expressed her appreciation for the continued collaboration between Sri Lanka and Vietnam and hoped that this collaboration will grow into many more sectors in future. 

She hailed the introduction of the Buddhist Trail to the Vietnamese market and highlighted that such diversification will reach to a larger market in her country, the Ministry said. 

Mahen Kariyawasam, Chairman of the St Andrew Travel Company, appreciated Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism (ASMET), whose collaboration made the launch of "Buddha Wandana" - Buddhist Trail Tour Package possible. 

This initiative marks another important step towards strengthening Sri Lanka's position as a premier destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and cultural tourism, it added. 

Direct flights between Vietnam and Sri Lanka will be operational from 18th August 2026, facilitating more effective exchange of goods, services and people between the two countries.