Vietnamese tourists at Hekou Border Gate in China on June 8, 2025.
Skyrocketing airfares during the summer peak have prompted many Vietnamese families to abandon domestic travel plans in favour of budget-friendly tours to China, which, in many cases, cost significantly less.
Every summer, Do Thu Phuong, a Hanoi resident, typically travels within Vietnam with her family of four. This year, she planned a trip to Phu Quoc Island in late June but was shocked by the cost of air tickets.
“A return ticket now costs between VND 7 million and VND 10 million (approximately USD 275 to USD 395). That means we would be paying VND 28 to 40 million (USD 1,100 to 1,580) for the whole family just for flights,” Phuong said.
After seeing travel photos of a friend returning from China, Phuong enquired and was surprised to learn the trip cost less than VND 7 million (USD 275). She quickly booked a tour to Dali and Kunming in Yunnan Province for only VND 6.9 million (USD 273).
Similarly, Pham Thanh Mai from Nam Dinh recently visited Pingxiang and Nanning with friends. “The total cost was just VND 4.5 million (USD 178), far cheaper than a return flight to Nha Trang, Quy Nhon or Phu Quoc during the peak months of June and July,” she said.
According to recent fare tracking, a one-way ticket from Hanoi to Phu Quoc on June 26 ranges between VND 4.2 million and VND 7.2 million (USD 165 to USD 285), while a return ticket could reach VND 14 to 15 million (USD 550 to USD 590) per person.
Prices for other domestic destinations are also high. One-way flights from Hanoi to Nha Trang in June range from VND 3.4 million to VND 5.6 million (USD 134 to USD 220), and to Quy Nhon from VND 3 million to VND 5 million (USD 118 to USD 197). Return tickets can cost between VND 7 million and VND 11 million (USD 275 to USD 433).
In comparison, many China tours are offered at equivalent or even lower prices. Land tours start at around VND 4 million (USD 157), while air tours are available from VND 10 to 20 million (USD 394 to USD 787), often bundled with discounts and added benefits.
According to S9 Travel director Luu Hoang Diep, the surge in China tour bookings is fuelled by tourism promotion initiatives from authorities on both sides of the Vietnam-China border. These include support for travellers and favourable policies for tour operators.“A five to six-day tour of China for just over VND 10 million (USD 394) is an easy decision for many travellers,” Diep said.
While the number of land border tourists remains stable, Diep noted a sharp increase in air travel to China. Pham Van Bay, Deputy Director of Vietravel Hanoi, also reported a 30 per cent to 35 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of travellers to China in June and July.
In addition to cost advantages, Bay said many Vietnamese find China appealing due to its cultural similarities, long, rich history, and majestic landscapes.
Nguyen Minh Son, a tour guide from Go China, said that Beijing and Shanghai remain the top picks among Vietnamese tourists. Budget tours to these cities cost around VND 14 to 15 million (USD 551 to USD 590), while higher-end no-shopping packages range from VND 27 to 30 million (USD 1,063 to USD 1,181) for six or seven-day itineraries.