The holiday runs from August 28 to September 2, with Vietnamese airlines adding flights and seats to meet increased travel demand.
Return fares higher
A review of airline booking websites shows that on August 28, Vietjet Air fares from Hanoi to Phu Quoc range from VND 1.9-2.4 million (USD 72-91) one way, with seats widely available, while Vietnam Airlines fares range from VND 2.5-4.5 million.
On the Hanoi-Danang route, Vietnam Airlines is offering 26 flights with one-way fares of about VND 2.2-2.5 million, while Vietjet has 13 flights priced at around VND 2.2-2.3 million. Sun PhuQuoc Airways fares start at about VND 2.1 million.
For Hanoi-Nha Trang, Vietnam Airlines fares start at more than VND 2.6 million, Vietjet at nearly VND 2 million and Sun PhuQuoc Airways at VND 2.1-2.3 million.
From HCM City to Danang, fares range from VND 1.6-1.9 million on Vietjet, VND 2-2.2 million on Sun PhuQuoc Airways and VND 2.1-2.5 million on Vietnam Airlines.
Fares from HCM City to Nha Trang start at about VND 1.4 million on Vietnam Airlines, VND1.6 million on Vietjet and more than VND 2.3 million on Sun PhuQuoc Airways.
Return flights on September 2 are generally more expensive and some have limited availability.
On the Phu Quoc-Hanoi route, Sun PhuQuoc Airways economy fares are around VND 3.5 million, with few seats remaining, although late-night flights can be VND 300,000 to VND 1 million cheaper.
Vietnam Airlines has one direct flight on the route, with economy fares above VND2.8 million and business-class seats sold out. Connecting flights via HCM City can cost around VND4.4 million. Vietjet fares range from VND2.1 million to VND3 million.
Danang-Hanoi fares range from VND2-2.4 million on Sun PhuQuoc Airways and VND2.1-2.4 million on Vietnam Airlines, with some midday and afternoon economy flights sold out. Vietjet fares start at VND1.7 million.
Seats are also tighter on Nha Trang-Hanoi flights, with fares ranging from VND 2.6-2.9 million on Sun PhuQuoc Airways, VND 2.9-3.7 million on Vietnam Airlines and VND 2.5-3.5 million on Vietjet.
To accommodate higher holiday demand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has adjusted take-off and landing slot parameters at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat international airports from August 24 to September 6.
Domestic terminal capacity will be raised to 17 flights per hour, while runway and air traffic service capacity between 6 am and 11.59 pm will increase from 42 to 44 flights per hour.
Airlines add capacity
Vietnam Airlines Group, comprising Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and Vasco, will add 60,000 seats for the holiday, bringing total capacity across its network to nearly 725,000 seats.
The group plans to operate more than 3,600 flights, up 25 per cent from the same period last year, with additional capacity focused on routes linking Hanoi and HCM City with destinations including Danang, Cam Ranh, Hue, Dalat and Phu Quoc.
Vietjet plans to add 82,000 seats, equivalent to about 400 flights, on domestic and international routes. It expects to operate more than 4,400 flights between August 26 and September 5.
Additional flights will focus on routes connecting Hanoi and HCM City with major tourism destinations including Danang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Hue and Dalat.
Airlines have advised passengers to check in online where possible as airports are expected to be busier during the holiday period.