According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, domestic airlines carried 36.9 million domestic passengers, an increase of 8.4 per cent, while international passenger numbers reached 46.6 million, up 12 per cent compared with the previous year.
The domestic flight network currently maintains about 55 routes, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 20 airports nationwide.
The authority said that engine recall orders from manufacturers in 2025 reduced the operational size of airline fleets. Carriers were forced to optimise the use of existing aircraft and develop more efficient flight schedules.
This was one of the factors contributing to a rise in flight delays, particularly during peak travel periods, alongside other causes such as prolonged adverse weather conditions and infrastructure congestion at several major airports.
Growth in international air transport was supported by the continued expansion of international routes. Vietnamese airlines are currently operating 113 international routes, linking Vietnam with major aviation hubs in north-east Asia, south-east Asia, south Asia, Europe and Oceania.
Vietnam has also created favourable conditions for foreign airlines to expand operations and participate in international routes to and from the country.
In addition, the recovery of the tourism sector, with 20 million international visitors arriving in Vietnam in 2025, provided a positive boost to aviation operations.
Looking ahead, the aviation industry is forecast to handle about 95 million passengers and more than 1.6 million tonnes of cargo this year, representing increases of 13.6 per cent and 9.3 per cent respectively compared with 2025.
The upcoming operation of Long Thanh International Airport, which is expected to ease pressure on Tan Son Nhat Airport, is set to gradually address infrastructure bottlenecks in southern Vietnam.
