The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam conducted a survey on July 31st regarding airfare prices (excluding taxes and fees) for domestic flights with high traffic, such as Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi to Danang, Hanoi to Cam Ranh/Nha Trang, and Hanoi to Phu Quoc, for the first half of August 2024. The survey revealed that Vietnam Airlines offered the highest price at approximately VND 2.2 million one-way, equivalent to 65% of the maximum price of VND 3.4 million, for flights departing after 5 PM on Friday, August 2nd, right before the weekend. For other days and departure times, prices were significantly lower, with Vietravel Airlines offering tickets at nearly VND 750,000 one-way, or 26% of the maximum price, for flights between August 5th and 15th, departing before 9 AM or after 5 PM.
Summer 2024 Air Travelers. Photo: Pham Duong
On the key route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Airlines offered the highest price at around VND 2.2 million one-way, which is 65% of the maximum price. This price was for a flight departing after 5 PM on Friday, August 2nd, right before the weekend. For other days and times, prices were much lower, with Vietravel Airlines offering tickets for as low as VND 750,000 one-way, or 26% of the maximum price, for flights between August 5-15th, outside of peak hours (before 9 AM and after 5 PM).
The Hanoi to Danang route, also a busy north-south route served by multiple domestic carriers, showed a similar pattern. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air offered tickets for up to VND 1.6 million one-way, or 56% of the maximum price of VND 2.89 million, for flights on August 1st and 2nd, with departure times between 9 AM and 5 PM. For flights departing on later dates, prices dropped significantly, with some days offering tickets at around 25% of the maximum price. Vietravel Airlines, in particular, offered tickets for as low as VND 300,000 one-way, or 12% of the maximum price, for evening flights between August 5th and 13th.
Another popular summer holiday route, Hanoi to Cam Ranh (Nha Trang), saw its highest price on the weekend of August 3rd, with Vietnam Airlines offering tickets for nearly VND 2.5 million one-way (72% of the maximum price) for flights between 9 AM and 5 PM. During the survey period, Vietjet Air offered the lowest average prices, with tickets costing only 25% of the maximum price on multiple days.
Hanoi to Dalat route maintained stable prices throughout most of the survey period. For flights departing on August 2nd, Vietnam Airlines offered tickets for approximately VND 2.9 million during daytime hours, equivalent to 80% of the maximum price of VND 3.4 million. For other dates, prices fluctuated between 30% and 40% of the maximum price. Vietjet Air’s prices for the same period were significantly lower, ranging from VND 800,000 to VND 1.1 million, or 24% to 30% of the maximum price. Bamboo Airways, another carrier operating this route, offered prices between 25% and 50% of the maximum price during the survey period.
Hanoi to Phu Quoc, the longest domestic air route in Vietnam, is currently served by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, with a maximum regulated transportation service price of VND 4 million. Vietnam Airlines’ highest price was VND 3.05 million, or 76% of the maximum price, for a morning flight on August 8th. For other dates, both carriers offered tickets at 30%-50% of the maximum price. Vietnam Airlines even offered tickets at just 27% of the maximum price for early morning or late-night flights on August 13th and 14th, while Vietjet Air’s prices dropped to 20% of the maximum for flights between August 6th and 15th.
Overall, prices tended to be higher for daytime flights, especially between 9 AM and noon. To encourage passengers to choose off-peak hours, some localities like Ho Chi Minh City and travel companies have implemented programs to provide accommodation support for passengers arriving at night. This not only gives travelers more options and helps reduce trip costs but also alleviates transportation pressure for carriers during daytime hours.
