Bookings vary widely by route, with some services already close to full while others still have ample availability.
On August 29, bookings have reached about 55 per cent on Hanoi-Danang and 69 per cent on Hanoi-Phu Quoc. Ho Chi Minh City-Tuy Hoa is 99 per cent booked, Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao 98 per cent and Hanoi-Chu Lai fully booked.
By contrast, Ho Chi Minh City-Phu Quoc is about 48 per cent booked and Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang 42 per cent. The busy Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City route remains below 39 per cent, partly due to its high flight frequency.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam expects bookings on key tourism routes to rise sharply closer to the holiday, while airlines still have room to stimulate demand through promotions, fare adjustments and additional capacity.
The reopening of Lien Khuong International Airport on August 19 has also expanded travel options for the holiday.
Airfares are showing signs of easing from previous years, although they remain above normal levels. One-way Hanoi-Phu Quoc fares range from VND 1.9 million (USD 72) on Vietjet to VND 4.5 million (USD 171) on Vietnam Airlines, while Sun PhuQuoc Airways fares start at about VND 2.5 million.
Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi fares range from VND 1.6 million to VND 2.8 million one way, while Hanoi-Danang tickets are generally priced at around VND 2-2.5 million.
On Hanoi-Nha Trang, one-way fares range from nearly VND 2 million to more than VND 2.5 million, depending on the airline.
Fares on some routes are lower than a year earlier as increased capacity provides more choices, with cheaper tickets typically available on early-morning and late-night flights.