Photo courtesy of VietNamNet Global

International passenger traffic through Vietnam's airports rose 15.4 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2026, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), with international passenger throughput reaching 26.2 million by June 15.

Growth in routes and cargo

Vietnamese carriers handled 9.6 million of those international passengers, a modest 0.2 per cent rise on last year that leaves them with 36.6 per cent of the international passenger market. International air cargo grew faster still, up 21.3 per cent to 706,700 tonnes, though Vietnamese airlines' share of that cargo market remains a smaller 16.8 per cent. Domestic cargo, by contrast, fell 7 per cent to 216,400 tonnes.

Safety concerns amid the growth

CAAV Director Uong Viet Dung said aviation safety must remain the industry's top priority even as traffic climbs. The authority flagged growing pressures on the sector, including congestion during peak travel periods, extreme weather, and hazards from drones, birds and wildlife around airports, alongside a need for more highly qualified staff and stronger safety management. It has told operators to follow Vietnam's own aviation safety rules and ICAO's international standards, and ordered regulators to move to more proactive, data-driven oversight and step up inspections.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

For expats, retirees and frequent visitors, the headline number is the useful one: more international routes and more seats generally mean more choice and, often, more competitive fares for getting in and out of the country. The rise in scheduled routes from 41 countries also points to Vietnam's growing links with a wider range of source markets, not just its traditional regional neighbours.

The safety warnings are worth noting too - anyone flying in or out of Vietnam's busier airports during peak periods should expect more congestion as passenger numbers keep climbing, and CAAV's own comments suggest the infrastructure and safety systems are having to work hard to keep pace with demand.

20 July 2026

Having worked in Vietnam, it doesn't surprise me in the least.