“Airfare Prices Surge Ahead of September 2nd Holiday: Aviation Authority Calls for Price Regulation”

Vietnam’s Aviation Authority Intervenes to Cool Down Surging Airfare Prices Ahead of National Day Holiday

As Vietnam’s National Day holiday on September 2nd approaches, the domestic air travel market is heating up, with many routes experiencing significant price increases. In response, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has issued an urgent directive to airlines and relevant units to protect passengers’ rights and meet the travel needs of the people.

Specifically, for the Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi route during the National Day holiday period, round-trip economy class fares range from VND 4.5 million to VND 7.5 million, depending on the carrier and flight time, which is 30-50% higher than usual. Some peak-time tickets can even cost up to VND 5.6-6.5 million.

Airfares for popular beach and resort destinations, such as Hanoi – Danang and Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc, are also on the rise due to increased demand close to the holiday period. Round-trip tickets from Hanoi to Danang can cost up to VND 3.8-4 million, while those from Ho Chi Minh City to Danang start at VND 3.4 million.

Notably, airfares to Phu Quoc from August 29th to September 2nd are priced from VND 5.4 million to VND 8 million, comparable to prices during the Lunar New Year or April 30th holidays. Mr. Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of Du Lich Viet Company, stated that it is “perfectly normal” for airfares to be high during this period, as airlines consider it a peak season, making it challenging for travel companies to obtain discounted group tickets, and the lower price ranges are often sold out.

In response to this situation, airlines have also introduced promotional activities. Vietnam Airlines has announced a discount program for domestic routes departing from late August to December 31, 2025, and international routes from September 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.

BestPrice Travel advises customers to book domestic flights early, ideally 2-6 weeks in advance, to avoid last-minute price fluctuations. For international flights, October and November usually offer the best opportunities before prices increase during the festive season. To save costs, BestPrice also recommends that passengers consider flexible flight times (early morning or late night), travel on weekdays instead of weekends, or purchase combo packages that include flights and hotels. Mr. Nguyen Van Dat, Executive Director of BestPrice Travel, suggests that customers plan early, compare multiple sources, and consider purchasing combos to optimize their expenses. He also advises keeping an eye out for official promotional offers from the airlines.

To meet the travel demands and ensure efficient passenger service during this peak period, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has issued a “hot” directive to units in the civil aviation industry. Specifically:

• Airlines must strictly comply with legal regulations on domestic air transport fares, sell tickets within the approved price framework and the carrier’s pricing policies, and closely monitor the ticket sales activities of their agents.
• Closely monitor booking and sales trends to promptly adjust flight schedules, add or increase flights on routes with high demand, especially to/from Hanoi during the days before and after the holiday period.
• Airlines should proactively coordinate with local authorities and tourism organizations to develop promotional programs and offer aviation-tourism combo packages.
• Ensure the availability of aircraft and personnel resources, strictly adhere to aviation safety and security regulations, and provide attentive and considerate service to passengers.
• Enhance passenger support, particularly at check-in kiosks and counters, encourage online check-in, and promptly address any complaints or grievances.
• Minimize flight cancellations due to technical reasons and reduce delays or cancellations caused by the airline.
• Airports should implement measures to reduce congestion at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports, ensure sufficient staffing, and closely monitor flight operations.

With the urgent directive from the Civil Aviation Authority and the proactive actions of the airlines, it is expected that airfare prices for the National Day holiday will cool down, making travel plans more accessible for the people. However, to be proactive and cost-effective, passengers are still advised to plan their trips early and consider flexible itineraries.