Data from airlines show demand rising sharply, concentrated on April 29-30 and return trips on May 3-4. On the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City route, one-way fares commonly range from VND 3.4 million to VND 5 million (approximately USD 135 to USD 200), depending on flight time and carrier.
Flights operated by Vietnam Airlines between April 27 and 29 are nearly sold out, with remaining economy seats priced at the cap of VND 3.4 million (approximately USD 135) per leg. Return flights on May 2-3 continue to show elevated prices.
Tourist routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Danang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Dalat are also seeing higher fares than usual, typically ranging from VND 2.5 million to VND 4.5 million (approximately USD 100 to USD 180) one way. Many flights to Phu Quoc and Nha Trang are nearing domestic fare caps.
Round-trip fares on the Hanoi-Nha Trang route during April 29 to May 2 reach about VND 7.4 million (approximately USD 295) with Vietnam Airlines and around VND 7.2 million (approximately USD 285) with Vietjet Air, excluding checked baggage. Numerous return flights from Nha Trang and Danang to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on May 3 are already sold out, leaving only higher-class tickets available.
Market observations show that peak-day flights at convenient hours fill up quickly, while off-peak departures or adjacent dates still offer tickets at prices lower by VND 1 million to VND 2 million (approximately USD 40 to USD 80) per leg.
Despite rising fuel costs, airlines are maintaining networks and adding flights to meet demand. The Vietnam Airlines Group plans to offer nearly 1.12 million seats on domestic and international routes during the peak period, up 15.5 per cent year on year.
On domestic routes alone, the carrier will operate more than 3,800 flights with over 730,000 seats, marking increases of about 13 per cent in flights and 16 per cent in capacity.
Vietjet Air is also adding around 500 flights, a 16 per cent increase year on year, bringing total capacity to 832,000 seats, up roughly 18 per cent. Additional services are focused on high-demand routes linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with destinations such as Danang, Nha Trang, Hue, Quang Binh, Quy Nhon and Phu Quoc.
On the rail network, ticket prices have been adjusted upward by 10 per cent to 15 per cent depending on route and seat type, partly due to rising fuel costs since March. As of April 7, Vietnam Railways Transport Joint Stock Company had sold 44,200 tickets.
During peak days, the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City line will add two trains, SE11 and SE12, alongside five regular train pairs. Daily services continue on key segments linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Danang, Nha Trang and Vinh, including the heritage route between Hue and Danang.
Additional services will also operate on Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Hanoi-Dong Hoi and Danang routes. The Hanoi-Lao Cai line will maintain three daily train pairs, while Hanoi-Haiphong will run four pairs with six extra services during peak days.
Aviation experts say fare increases during holidays are cyclical, driven by short-term demand spikes. Travellers are advised to plan ahead and book early to avoid higher prices during peak seasons.
