The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said airlines were offering nearly one million seats on major domestic tourist routes for the September 2 holiday, up around 10 per cent from a year earlier.
For the peak travel day of August 29, bookings reached 55 per cent on Hanoi-Danang and 69 per cent on Hanoi-Phu Quoc, while Ho Chi Minh City-Tuy Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao were nearly full and Hanoi-Chu Lai was fully booked.
By contrast, bookings stood at 48 per cent on Ho Chi Minh City-Phu Quoc and 42 per cent on Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang, while Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City remained below 39 per cent due to frequent services and late bookings.
Vietnam Airlines Group said it would add 60,000 seats for the holiday, bringing total capacity across its network to nearly 725,000 seats on more than 3,600 flights, up 25 per cent year on year.
Additional capacity will focus on the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City route and popular destinations including Danang, Cam Ranh, Hue, Dalat and Phu Quoc.
The aviation authority expects bookings on major tourist routes to rise sharply as the holiday approaches, while airlines still have room to stimulate demand through promotions and additional capacity.
Airfares remain above normal levels but have eased on some routes from last year's holiday as airlines increase capacity.
One-way fares between Hanoi and Phu Quoc range from VND1.9 million to VND2.6 million on Vietjet and VND2.6 million to VND4.5 million on Vietnam Airlines. Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi fares typically range from VND1.6 million to VND2.8 million, while Hanoi-Danang tickets cost around VND2-2.5 million.
As of Saturday morning, fares including taxes and fees started at around VND1.9 million for Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi and VND1.1 million for Ho Chi Minh City-Phu Quoc.
Tour demand remains moderate
Travel companies said demand for package tours was steady but less intense than in previous holiday periods.
A Ho Chi Minh City travel company said it had achieved around 90 per cent of its National Day tour sales target, higher than a year earlier but below demand during the April 30 holiday.
Domestic road tours are priced at around VND 2.4-3.3 million, while packages including flights range from VND 7 million to VND 13.4 million, depending on flight times and accommodation standards.
Danang, Hue, Phu Quoc and Con Dao remain among the most popular destinations.
Tour operators said overall demand had been restrained partly because the holiday falls near the end of the summer break and close to the start of the school year, while households remain cautious about spending.
Tour prices have risen 5-10 per cent on some routes due to higher travel costs, while short-haul and road tours remain relatively stable, with some discounts available.