According to the Vietnam Aviation Authority, airfares during the 2/9 holiday period increased by 20% compared to regular pre-holiday rates. |
A Sudden Surge in Bus Trips
As shared by the Hanoi Bus Station Joint Stock Company, this year’s National Day holiday extends for four consecutive days and falls right before the new school year, leading to a spike in travel and recreational demands. It is expected that passenger traffic will concentrate on locations with tourist attractions, scenic spots, and entertainment activities.
Based on calculations by the Hanoi Bus Station Joint Stock Company, the number of passengers and buses during the National Day holiday will surge from the afternoon of August 30 and August 31, returning to normal levels on September 1 and the morning of September 2. The number of passengers will increase again from the afternoon of September 3 and the morning of September 4. At the Giap Bat bus station, the highest number of passengers during the peak days is expected to reach 20,000 per day, a 350% increase compared to regular days, with the main routes being Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa. At the Gia Lam bus station, the highest number of passengers during the peak days is anticipated to be around 5,000 per day, a 250% increase compared to regular days, focusing on routes to Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and Bac Giang. As for the My Dinh bus station, the number of passengers during the peak days is estimated at 22,000 per day, a significant surge of over 350% compared to regular days, mainly on routes to Hoa Binh, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Son La, Lai Chau, Quang Ninh, and Cao Bang.
A 20% Hike in Airfares
On the other hand, the aviation industry has been consistently announcing increased flight operations during the holiday period. According to the Vietnam Aviation Authority, from August 30 to September 3, the airlines will operate a total of 4,257 flights, averaging 840 flights per day, representing a 3% increase compared to the previous holiday week and a 3.5% rise year-over-year.
The routes connecting Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City remain the busiest domestic routes, with an average of 241 flights per day, an 8% increase compared to the week before the holiday, and a 14.9% jump year-over-year.
Domestic tourism routes (to destinations such as Vinh, Binh Dinh, Dalat, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc) and routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to other provinces are also being prioritized by the airlines, with an average of 171 flights per day on these tourism routes, a 2% increase compared to the week before the holiday.
According to a survey of airfare data by the Vietnam Aviation Authority, prices during the 2/9 National Day holiday period are higher than regular days by approximately 20%. For the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City route, the highest fare observed was around VND 2.6 million one-way offered by Vietnam Airlines on August 30 during daytime hours (including a meal), an 8% increase compared to the previous week (August 23). For the same travel time, Vietjet Air’s fare is about VND 2.3 million one-way, a 25% increase compared to the previous week. On the Hanoi-Nha Trang route, fares announced by the airlines range from VND 2.4 million to VND 3 million one-way, a roughly 24% increase compared to the week before the holiday…
The Vietnam Aviation Authority recommends that passengers traveling by air should book their tickets in advance to have a wider range of price options. Passengers are also advised to actively monitor their flight schedules and plan their travel to and from the airports to avoid congestion or inconvenience due to flight delays.
Duong Hung
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New Move to ‘Cool Down’ Peak-Season Airfares
By traveling to Southeast Asian countries or adjusting departure dates by a day or two, travelers can still fly for significantly cheaper than during peak holiday seasons.