Vietnam is open to international tourism
Vietnam’s borders reopened for tourists on March 15, 2022. All foreign visitors can enter the country regardless of their vaccination status – with no testing, quarantine, or any other travel restrictions. However, medical insurance that covers Covid treatment with a minimum liability of $10,000 is required (cost around $30 / A$44 / €28).
All visitors must obtain a visa before arrival. There is a visa exemption for nationals from 13 countries (Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, UK). It allows travel for up to 15 days. Online e-visas that permit single entry and 30-day stays are available for citizens of 80 countries (including the US and most European nations not included in the visa exemptions).
If you are planning to limit your visit to Phu Quoc Islands only, you may do this without a visa for a period of a maximum of 30 days. You must fly from abroad to the Phu Quoc International Airport, and you can’t travel to other parts of Vietnam. A return air ticket out of Vietnam is required.
Arriving in Vietnam
- If you are flying to Vietnam from abroad, you will most likely land at its main international airport — Tan Son Nhat Airport
SGNin Ho Chi Minh City, or Noi Bai AirportHANin Hanoi. The third largest airport, Da Nang AirportDADin Da Nang located in Central Vietnam accepts a smaller number of international flights — as does Phu Quoc AirportPQCthat is receiving international flights with tourists visiting the popular resort island of Phu Quoc. There are also over a dozen other provincial airports scattered across the country, serving local population or travelers wanting to see other Vietnamese attractions such as Can Tho AirportVCA(for Mekong Delta), Phu Bai AirportHUI(Hue), and Dong Hoi AirportVDH(Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park). - Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, IndiGo, Jetstar, Nok Air, Scoot, and SpiceJet. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.
Airports of Vietnam
What is the best time to book flights to Vietnam?
The best time to book flights to Vietnam is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Vietnam flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for Vietnam flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Vietnam, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to Vietnam using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Vietnam less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in Vietnam), and check the best time to fly to Vietnam. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Book cheap flights in the region
Relax in Sleep Pod at Hanoi airport
Long layover? You can take a quick (or long) nap in the privacy and comfort of Sleep Pod at Noi Bai International Airport. It’s a mini-hotel or a “room boxes” located on the 3rd floor in Terminal 1 and on the 2nd floor in Terminal 2.
Sleep Pods can be booked per hour or per day at the price of $7 (~A$10) for a single room and $8 (~A$12) for a twin room, and you can make a reservation online on HanoiAirportHotels or Booking.com.
Fly with local airlines
Vietnam has a vast and dense network of air routes, with its 10 international and numerous domestic airports. Flying between major cities is the fastest and most convenient way of travel. Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is the most popular route (70 min, ~$40 / ~A$60 / €37) and even one of the longest domestic flights – from Hanoi to Phu Quoc – only takes 2 hours (compared to 35 hours by train and ferry) and cost less than $100 (~A$150 / ~€95).
The three major airlines dominate the local market and tend to have the cheapest flights: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Pacific Airlines.
The cheapest time to fly to Vietnam
If you’re looking for a cheaper and quieter trip, aim to book your flights for dates from March to May or from September to November – these months are considered Vietnam’s off-peak tourism season. It’s a great time to visit the country without tourist crowds and with reasonable prices for airline tickets, tours, and accommodation.
July and August and December to February are considered the high seasons in Vietnam, with airfares and hotel prices increasing up to 50%. If you really have to visit the country during this peak period it’s wise to book your travel well in advance to avoid inflated last-minute fares.
Avoid currency exchange kiosks at Vietnamese airports
It is always a good idea to bring some cash with you to Vietnam. The official currency of Vietnam is dong (VND; symbol: ₫), however, US dollars can also be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, tours, or other services.
Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Vietnamese airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.
Plan ahead and bring a significant proportion of your spending money in cash. You may also try to exchange some money for the Vietnamese dong at one of the plentiful ATMs located at airports and all over the country. Virtually all of them accept foreign Visa and MasterCards.
Flights to Vietnam from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Vietnam. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Vietnam, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. There is only one route and one airline that connect the US with Vietnam directly. Regular non-stop flights from San Francisco
SFOto Ho Chi MinhSGNare operated by Vietnam Airlines, with the flight time of 16 hours and 40 minutes. Whilst Vietnam is a destination that has been growing in popularity amongst Canadian travelers, there are still no direct flights to Vietnam from Canada – travelers have to transit through Asian hubs such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, or Tokyo. - Vietnam is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Vietnam with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL, DallasDFW, DenverDEN, ChicagoORD, Los AngelesLAX, Las VegasDFW, MiamiMIA, SeattleSEA, HoustonIAH, New YorkJFK, and San FranciscoSFOin the United States and TorontoYYZ, VancouverYVR, CalgaryLAS, and MontrealYULin Canada. The best options for 1-stop flights include Air Canada and Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong (the shortest transit times of around 2-5 hours), ANA and Japan Airlines via TokyoHND, China Airlines and EVA Air via TaipeiTPE, and Korean Air via SeoulICN. - The best airlines to fly to Vietnam from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
- For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to Vietnam, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.
Vietnam from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24
Real-time economy class airfares to Vietnam from the US and Canada. See the top deals for flights departing from June to February:
Hacker faresto Vietnam
Airfares airlines don't want you to see:
Long waiting times when calling the helpline?
Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for AirAsia, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, and others).
When it comes to Twitter, there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@VietnamAirlines” for the national carrier Vietnam Airlines). The customer care team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.
Book your flights in the local currency
Airfares that a flight search engine or airline website quotes you often vary depending on where you book from. Try to spoof your location and currency so that it looks like you’re booking the flight from the same country it departs from. For example, if you are in the US and booking a leg of your trip from Dubai to Singapore, set the country on the airline website to UAE and the currency to Emirati dirham (AED).
This simple trick doesn’t work every time (not all websites set prices the same way), but it can sometimes save you significant money.
Flights to Vietnam with stopover
Direct flights to Vietnam are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.
So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.
When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in Vietnam. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.
Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to Vietnam with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.
A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to Vietnam will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.
Flights to Vietnam from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Vietnam — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Only three European cities have a nonstop connection to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi): Frankfurt, Paris, and London (Heathrow and Gatwick airports). These direct flights are operated by Air France and two Vietnamese airlines: Vietnam Airlines, (full-service carrier) and Bamboo Airways (low-cost carrier). You can also fly from Istanbul
ISTwith Turkish Airlines (10 hours and 15 minutes). Using connecting flights is almost always cheaper. Bangkok is the most popular transit city for Europeans, with only 2 hour flight time from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh and numerous flights operating daily. For the cheapest tickets choose one of the budget airlines such as AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, IndiGo, Jetstar, Nok Air, Scoot, and SpiceJet. - Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Vietnam include Air France, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Vietnam from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.
We recommend checking prices for flights to Vietnam from these European airport hubs: LondonLHRand ManchesterMANin the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRAand MunichMUCin Germany, ParisCDGand NiceNCEin France, AmsterdamAMSin the Netherlands, MadridMADand BarcelonaBCNin Spain, RomeFCOand MilanoMXPin Italy, BrusselsBRUin Belgium, CopenhagenOSLin Denmark, OsloOSLin Norway, StockholmARNin Sweden, ZurichZRHin Switzerland, LisbonLISin Portugal, ViennaVIEin Austria, WarsawWAWin Poland, PraguePRGin Czech Republic, and DublinDUBin Ireland.
European airports with the cheapest flights to Vietnam
Find the lowest prices for flights to Hanoi Airport and HCMC Airport in Vietnam from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.
Can't finda good deal?
Europe to Vietnam, up to 80% off.
How to book SuperDeals?
At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Vietnam is Google Flights. Every time we send SuperDeals to our 110,000 members (see some examples), we include links to Google Flights so that each deal can be booked immediately.
Google Flights then showcases various options for booking the deal: you can almost always book directly with the airline (by cutting out the middleman) or – alternatively – with an OTA that offers the same flight at a similar price. Once you have chosen your booking option, you will be redirected to the external website where you can finalize your ticket purchase.
One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar that appears underneath the booking options. It provides a visual representation of the price in comparison to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline) – indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher.
If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”) don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly – 40% to 80% – cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Vietnam). Sign up now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!
For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:
Check different departure airports
Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.
For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to Vietnam will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.
Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.
Last-minute flights to Vietnam. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Vietnam almost always never works out.
Based on years of research, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. To make the most money, they will sell their cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of these travelers who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Vietnam is 2-8 months before the takeoff.
Airlines of Vietnam
Vietnam’s national flag carrier is Vietnam Airlines, based at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. It offers many long-haul direct flights to Vietnam from all over the world, including Frankfurt, London, Paris, Sydney, and Melbourne. It is probably the best Vietnamese carrier – in terms of available routes and service quality, however, it is also the more expensive. Most of its long- and medium-haul flights to Vietnam have meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment onboard.
Other Vietnamese airlines – Bamboo Airways, VietJet Air, Vietravel Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Hai Au Aviation, and Vietnam Air Services Company – are much smaller carriers that mostly focus on short-haul flights. They may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight refreshments, meals, or onboard entertainment. In most cases, their tickets are fixed and non-refundable if there is a no-show or cancellation.
Flights to Vietnam from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Vietnam. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Direct flights and flights with one layover to Vietnam are available from all major airports in Australia – SydneySYD, BrisbaneBNE, MelbourneMEL, PerthPER, AdelaideADL, CairnsCNS, Gold CoastOOL, CanberraCBR, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL, WellingtonWLG, ChristchurchCHC, QueenstownZQN, DunedinDUD. - In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in Vietnam with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Vietnam are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, IndiGo, Jetstar, Nok Air, Scoot, and SpiceJet.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Vietnam. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia. Four airlines operate direct flights to Vietnam from Australia (from Melbourne and Sydney): Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Qantas, and Jetstar. If you depart from New Zealand, your journey will have at least one stop (no direct flights) – most likely in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, or Hong Kong. Kuala Lumpur is an interesting stopover option, as AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines often offer discounted prices for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Vietnam. Traveling from Australia or New Zealand to Vietnam by air takes between 9 and 15 hours depending on your route.
Prices of flights to Vietnam from Australia and New Zealand
Real-time economy class fares to Vietnam from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.
Curated dealsfrom flight experts
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“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Vietnam, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.
How much is Premium Economy to Vietnam?
Heading for a long-haul or overnight flight to Vietnam? The premium economy could be a worthwhile investment, ensuring you arrive rejuvenated.
Positioned between economy and business class, premium economy provides enhanced comfort (5–7 inches of extra legroom, wider seats with 2–3 extra inches recline, adjustable headrests and leg rests, larger personal TV screens) and extra perks (superior meals, larger baggage allowances, priority boarding, access to airport lounges). It’s a favored option for those seeking comfort without the cost of a full-fledged business-class ticket.
The majority of Asia Pacific carriers now feature premium economy class. According to Skytrax’s World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines Awards, the best premium economy is offered by Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, ANA, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.
However, the Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seats Award recognized Emirates as the top contender. Their premium economy class, currently available on A380 aircraft, exudes a business-class ambiance and occupies the front of the main deck of the superjumbo.
Premium economy class fares typically range from 25% to 100% more than standard economy tickets on the same flight. For instance, a round-trip economy ticket from the US to Vietnam might be priced around $700, whereas a premium economy ticket on the same route could be $1,000 to $1,500. In contrast, business class tickets for an identical itinerary may run between $3,000 and $5,000 or higher.
When booking closer to the departure date, premium economy is generally only 10–30% more expensive than standard economy fare. If premium seats aren’t filled, airlines might offer discounted upgrades at check-in.
To find the current prices of premium economy tickets to Vietnam, use our search form (choose “Premium Economy” in the cabin class drop-down menu).
Is the premium economy to Vietnam worth the extra cost? This decision hinges on individual priorities. For long-haul and overnight flights, the enhanced comfort can significantly improve the travel experience. If your journey consists of two or more connecting flights, opting for a premium seat on just one leg can still provide a superior journey compared to the standard economy throughout.
However, if the price gap for premium economy appears too steep, consider another viable alternative: hot seats.
Best way to upgrade to Business Class for cheap
A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Vietnam, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. Alternatively, you can go to the website directly and check if your seat qualifies for an upgrade by providing the Booking Reference number.
There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed via email, and your seat will be upgraded.
How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat to Vietnam, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.
The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights to Vietnam – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.
Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp), Cathay Pacific (Upgrade Bid), Etihad Airways (Bid To Upgrade), Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Hawaiian Airlines (Bid Up), LATAM (Cabin Upgrade), Lufthansa (Bid Upgrade), Royal Jordanian (Go Crown), Qantas (Bid Now), SAS (SAS Upgrade), Singapore Airlines (mySQupgrade), SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).
Flights to Vietnam from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Being part of a complex flight network in Asia, Vietnam is well connected to other countries in the region. Quick, direct flights depart to its two main airports in HCMC and Hanoi from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore - these are the hubs with the best flight deals. You'll also find numerous direct flights from South Korea (Seoul, Busan), Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka), China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou), and Taiwan (Taipei, Kaohsiung).
- Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Vietnam look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Vietnam will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Vietnam and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
Flights from major Asian airports to Vietnam
Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Vietnam — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
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Get curated deals to Vietnam:
Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips
Every year, airlines handle millions of bags and a small percentage never make it to their final destinations. Avoid lost luggage nightmares on your trip to Vietnam by removing old tags from previous flights on your suitcases – they can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners. It’s also a good idea to label your luggage with your name, address, and phone number (both inside and outside the case) and attach a GPS-tracker device like Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag.
For peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the full value of your luggage, as airline liability usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.
Booking group flights to Vietnam
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Vietnam can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.
Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.
Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:
- free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
- free checked baggage allowance
- dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
- cabin crew who speak your group’s language
- flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)
Booking group flights to Vietnam is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.
If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Vietnam and can help with logistics and scheduling.
“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?
Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to Vietnam now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Fly Now Pay Later, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.
BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans but have fees for late payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.
Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.
Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to Vietnam can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Vietnam to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Vietnam and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.
