Vietnam airfares fall as international capacity rises

Photo courtesy of VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

International airfares from Vietnam have dropped sharply as local airlines add seats and intensify competition on popular regional routes. Some tickets to Singapore and Thailand now cost about half last year's price, while fares to Europe and Northeast Asia are also lower.

Cheaper routes from Ho Chi Minh City

A Ho Chi Minh City traveller told VnExpress that a one-way ticket to Singapore cost just over VND1.6 million (US$61), compared with VND3.2 million (US$122) last year. Vietnamese carriers are now offering fares from VND1.6 million on the Ho Chi Minh City-Singapore route and from VND1.9 million to Bangkok.

The reductions are not uniform across the market. Some foreign airlines still charge two or three times the lowest Vietnamese-carrier fares on the same routes. Tickets between Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta have eased from VND7-10 million to about VND6.3 million, while prices from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Europe and Northeast Asia are down 10-15% year-on-year.

More seats and new international services

Vietnam is expected to provide 7.3 million airline seats in August, 10% more than a year earlier and the second-highest capacity in Southeast Asia after Indonesia, according to British aviation data provider OAG. Vietnam Airlines is expected to account for 2.8 million seats and Vietjet Air for 2.2 million.

Airlines are also increasing frequencies and opening new routes. Vietjet has raised its Ho Chi Minh City-Kuala Lumpur service to seven flights a week during the peak season. It plans to begin flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Colombo on 18 August, followed by Hanoi-Almaty and Hanoi-Prague services in October.

Hong Thanh, who owns a ticket agency in Ho Chi Minh City, said greater supply and competition were key reasons for the cooler fares, particularly while demand for overseas travel remains subdued. Lower fuel costs have also helped. On 1 July, the government reduced preferential import tariffs, environmental protection taxes and value-added tax policies applying to gasoline and aviation fuel until 30 September.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

Residents and travellers may find better-value regional trips from Vietnam, particularly on routes served by several competing airlines. The lowest advertised fare may exclude baggage, seat selection or other extras, so comparing the final checkout price remains important. Travellers should also check flight times and change conditions before booking, especially where a cheaper fare is tied to a new or recently expanded service.

11 August 2026