Air fares from Ho Chi Minh City to several popular tourist destinations have declined ahead of Vietnam's National Day holiday, as airlines significantly increase seat capacity to meet demand.
Data from ticket agents, airline websites and travel platforms show that seats remain widely available on August 29, the first day of the holiday period, while fares on many routes have remained relatively moderate.
On the Ho Chi Minh City-Danang route, one-way tickets departing on August 30 are available from around VND 880,000 (USD 34), including taxes and fees. Vietjet fares generally start at about VND 1.1 million (USD 42), while Sun PhuQuoc Airways is offering tickets for around VND 1.4-1.5 million (USD 54-58). Many flights still had seats available across different departure times on the evening of August 29.
For flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, Vietnam Airlines fares on August 29 were around VND 1.7 million (USD 65) one way. By August 30, prices had fallen to approximately VND 1.1 million (USD 42) on Vietjet and VND 1.3 million (USD 50) on Vietnam Airlines.
The Ho Chi Minh City-Phu Quoc route offered the lowest fare of around VND 1.6 million (USD 61) on a Sun PhuQuoc Airways flight departing at 6.40 pm on August 29. However, many other flights were priced at around VND 4 million (USD 153) one way. For departures on August 30, fares dropped sharply, with several flights available for less than VND 1 million (USD 38), including Vietjet tickets priced at around VND 850,000 (USD 33).
From Hanoi to Phu Quoc, the lowest fare available on August 29 was approximately VND 2.1 million (USD 81) one way on Vietjet. For August 30 departures, fares fell to around VND 1.2 million (USD 46) on both Vietjet and Sun PhuQuoc Airways, while Vietnam Airlines tickets ranged from VND 1.7 million to VND 2.2 million (USD 65-84). The prices are considerably lower than during some previous holiday periods, when fares on the route reached around VND 5 million (USD 192) one way.
The Ho Chi Minh City-Dalat route was almost fully booked on August 29 and 30. By September 1, early-morning Vietjet flights were available from about VND 901,000 (USD 35), while Vietnam Airlines tickets started at around VND 1 million (USD 38).
Several lower-frequency routes, including Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao and Dien Bien services, had sold out for August 29 departures. However, tickets to Con Dao on August 30 remained available from around VND 1.7 million (USD 65) one way.
On the country's busiest domestic route, Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi, August 29 fares started at around VND 2.1 million (USD 81) one way with Vietnam Airlines. By August 30, fares across most airlines had fallen to approximately VND 1.5-1.6 million (USD 58-61). Overall, fare levels on many routes were lower than during several previous holiday periods.
International fares have also remained relatively affordable. Travellers departing Ho Chi Minh City on September 1 can fly to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore from around VND 1.5-1.8 million (USD 58-69) one way on Vietjet.
On the Ho Chi Minh City–Singapore route, Vietnam Airlines fares start at approximately VND 2.5 million (USD 96), while Singapore Airlines tickets range from VND 3.4 million to VND 4 million (USD 130-153). Scoot fares begin at around VND 6.4 million (USD 245) one way.
The increased supply of seats is seen as a key factor helping to stabilise ticket prices. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, airlines are expected to provide nearly one million seats on major domestic tourism routes during the September 2 National Day holiday, an increase of around 10 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Vietnam Airlines Group, comprising Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and VASCO, said it had added 60,000 seats, bringing total holiday capacity to nearly 725,000 seats across its network. The group plans to operate more than 3,600 flights, up 25 per cent year on year.
Vietjet has also announced an additional 82,000 seats, equivalent to around 400 extra flights on domestic and international routes. The expanded capacity is focused on routes linking Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with major tourism destinations including Danang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Hue and Dalat.
According to operational plans released by Tan Son Nhat Airport's operations centre for August 29, the airport is expected to handle 766 flights and more than 128,000 passengers on the first day of the holiday period.
The total includes 386 departures and 380 arrivals. Departing passenger numbers are projected to exceed 70,700, while arriving passengers are expected to reach approximately 57,500.
A representative of Tan Son Nhat International Airport said passenger traffic and flight operations during the five-day National Day holiday would increase significantly compared with both normal periods and the same holiday period last year.
On average, the airport expects to handle around 780 flights per day, up 5 per cent from the current schedule and approximately 12 per cent higher than last year's holiday peak.
The busiest days are forecast to be August 28, when domestic travellers leave Ho Chi Minh City in large numbers, and September 2, when passengers return to the city. Flight volumes on those days could reach around 800 flights.
Passenger throughput is expected to reach approximately 128,000 on August 29, while the busiest day of the holiday period could see as many as 135,000 travellers pass through the airport.
