Lower airfares give Vietnam's summer tourism a timely boost

According to travel companies, ticket prices on many domestic routes have fallen by around 10-15% compared with levels seen earlier this year and during the April 30-May 1 holiday period.

Flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to popular destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Quy Nhon are now available at more affordable fares, particularly on early morning and late evening departures.

The decline comes as airlines increase flight frequencies to meet seasonal demand while expanding seat capacity, helping improve supply ahead of one of Vietnam’s busiest travel periods.

Lower fares encourage holiday plans

More affordable tickets are already influencing travel decisions for many Vietnamese families.

Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, told VOV her family had planned to combine a summer holiday in Phu Quoc with a visit to relatives in Thanh Hoa province, but repeatedly postponed booking because of high airfare.

One-way fares between Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa, which had previously exceeded VND2.1 million (about US$80), have recently fallen to around VND1.6-1.7 million dong, with some departures priced at roughly VND1.5 million dong.

Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc are also available for less than VND1.1 million dong one way.

“The lower fares make it much easier for us to manage our travel budget and finally move ahead with our holiday plans,” she said.

Tourism experts said transportation í one of the biggest cost factors influencing family travel decisions, particularly during the summer holiday when demand typically peaks.

With airfares becoming more affordable, more travelers are expected to choose domestic destinations instead of postponing trips or switching to other forms of travel.

Travel companies see stronger demand

For tour operators, airfare usually accounts for 35-50% of a package tour's total cost, making ticket prices a key factor in purchasing decisions.

According to BestPrice Travel, high airfares earlier this year prompted many budget-conscious families to delay holidays, travel by road instead or even consider short overseas trips offering similar overall costs.

Since fares began declining, however, the company has seen stronger customer interest and higher booking conversion rates, particularly for flight-and-hotel packages and beach holidays, which are among the most popular summer products.

Pham Anh Vu, deputy general director of Viet Tourism Media JSC, described current airfare levels as ‘much more reasonable’than in previous months.

“When transportation costs decline, travel companies gain greater flexibility to keep tour prices stable while enhancing service quality, adding new experiences or launching promotional programmes, especially for families traveling with children during the summer,” he told VOV.

Positive outlook for domestic tourism

Tran Phuong Linh, marketing and information technology director at BenThanh Tourist, said lower airfare has yet to affect the prices of summer tours that were launched months ago.

She noted that the company had managed to keep package prices relatively stable even during periods of high fuel costs by securing airline seat allocations early and negotiating favourable rates with suppliers.

Nevertheless, she expected the recent drop in airfare to benefit independent travel products and flight-and-hotel combinations, which appeal to travelers seeking greater flexibility while keeping costs under control.

Industry representatives agreed airfare is not the only factor shaping tourism demand, but it remains one of the largest expenses for domestic travelers.

As prices ease just before the peak holiday season, the decline is expected to stimulate domestic tourism, support tour operators and encourage destinations across Vietnam to roll out additional promotional campaigns.

In Ho Chi Minh City, travel businesses also see new opportunities to expand regional tourism products, promote urban experiences and capitalize on improved connectivity through Tan Son Nhat International Airport during the busy summer season.

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