On August 22, booking systems showed airlines including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines offering abundant seats on the Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi route with significantly reduced fares.
Vietnam Airlines is selling tickets for departures from August 30 to September 3, starting at VND 2.2 million (approximately USD 86) per flight in economy class, operated by either Vietnam Airlines or Pacific Airlines.
Fares now range from VND 2.2 to 2.8 million (USD 86 to 110) per ticket, depending on flight times, well below the VND 2.7 to 3.7 million (USD 106 to 140) recorded in early August. Vietjet, Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines are applying similar rates, targeting passengers travelling north for the 80th National Day parade.
Le Nam, a passenger in Ho Chi Minh City, said he bought a business ticket to Hanoi for around VND 2 million (USD 78), much cheaper than what his friends paid two weeks ago for travel and celebrations.
Why are airfares dropping?
Airlines said ticket prices are falling thanks to an increase in flight supply. Vietnam Airlines announced it will provide nearly 600,000 seats across its network during the six peak days from August 29 to September 3, with almost 2,900 flights, adding more than 100,000 seats compared to last year.
For the domestic market alone, about 418,000 seats will be offered, up 30 per cent year-on-year, focusing on trunk routes such as Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi-Danang, and connections to Cam Ranh, Dalat and Hue.
Vietjet will add nearly 10,000 seats, equivalent to 50 extra flights, spread across popular holiday routes including Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Hue to meet soaring travel demand.
