Looking to book flights to Vietnam for your upcoming trip? Securing a plane ticket to Vietnam can often be one of the major expenses when planning your travel. To help you find the most affordable options, we’ve put together some practical tips to guide you in booking the cheapest airline tickets for your Vietnam tour.
Tips for booking the cheapest flight ticket to Vietnam
1. Avoid high season
When it comes to booking the cheapest flight ticket to Vietnam, the best way to safe money on your ticket is is to avoid the high season.
During the high season, there is a surge in demand for flights to Vietnam, leading to increased prices. Many tourists visit Vietnam during holidays, festivals, and the summer months, resulting in higher competition for flight bookings. Airlines take advantage of this increased demand to maximize their profits.
If you choose to travel during the low season or shoulder season, you’ll find more affordable flight options. These seasons are characterized by fewer tourists, and airlines may offer discounted fares to attract travelers. By planning your trip during these periods, you can potentially save a significant amount of money on your flight tickets.
2. Book in advanced
As the travel date approaches, airlines tend to increase their prices due to the principle of supply and demand. Popular flights fill up quickly, leaving fewer seats available at lower fares. By booking in advance, you have a better chance of accessing early bird discounts and promotional offers, allowing you to secure more affordable flight tickets.
3. Set price alert
A useful tip for finding the cheapest flight ticket to Vietnam is to set price alerts. This can be done through various flight search platforms, such as Skyscanner, which offers a handy feature for tracking price fluctuations.
When searching for flights to a specific destination, like Ho Chi Minh City, you can utilize the “Set price alerts” option. By selecting this feature, you will receive email notifications whenever there are changes in the flight ticket prices. This allows you to keep track of any potential price drops or increases.
4. Try different booking platforms
To find the cheapest flight ticket to Vietnam, it is recommended to try different booking platforms. There are several reliable platforms available, such as Momondo, Google Flights, Skyscanner, and even checking directly on the airline’s website.
Each booking platform may have access to different airlines, deals, and discounts, so it’s worth exploring multiple options. Momondo, Google Flights, and Skyscanner are popular flight search engines that don’t sell flight tickets themself, but compare fares from various airlines and online travel agencies.
5. Check different airports
When searching for the cheapest flight ticket to Vietnam, it is advisable to check different airports and explore various options beyond the primary destinations. Consider the following strategies:
- Compare Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City: Flight prices can vary depending on the airport you choose to fly to or from. Sometimes, flying to or from Hanoi may be cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa. By comparing prices for both airports, you can potentially find more affordable options.
- Consider neighboring countries: Exploring flights from neighboring countries can sometimes lead to cost savings. For example, flying to a major hub like Bangkok, Thailand, and then taking a separate flight to Vietnam might be more economical. Be sure to compare the total cost, including the price of both flights and any additional expenses or transit time involved.
- Look for nearby airports: Are there any airports you can consider flying from. Especially if you live in Europe, you can easily consider flying via an airport of another country.
6. Be flexible
Being flexible is a key tip when searching for the cheapest flight ticket to Vietnam. It involves considering various factors, such as travel dates, times, and even the day of the week, to maximize your chances of finding affordable fares. Here’s why flexibility can greatly assist you in finding that elusive cheap ticket:
- The day of the week and the time of the flight can also impact the ticket prices. Flying during weekends, when many people prefer to travel, can often be more expensive. Conversely, flights during weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to be cheaper due to lower demand. Additionally, opting for early morning or late-night flights, which are less popular, can sometimes result in lower fares.
- Stay open to different airlines: Don’t limit yourself to a specific airline when searching for the best price.
- Alternative airports and routes: As mentioned earlier, considering different airports and alternative routes.
International Airports in Vietnam
Vietnam has several international airports that serve as gateways to the country. The major international airports in Vietnam are:
- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) – Located in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, Noi Bai International Airport is the largest airport in northern Vietnam and serves as a major international gateway.
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) – Situated in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the busiest airport in Vietnam and is the main international airport in the southern region.
- Da Nang International Airport (DAD) – Located in the coastal city of Da Nang, Da Nang International Airport serves as a significant hub in central Vietnam and offers both domestic and international flights.
- Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) – Situated in Khanh Hoa Province, Cam Ranh International Airport serves the popular tourist destination of Nha Trang and handles a growing number of international flights.
- Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) – Located on Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc International Airport is an important gateway for travelers visiting this tropical paradise and offers international connections.
- Can Tho International Airport (VCA) – Located in Can Tho, a city in the Mekong Delta region, Can Tho International Airport provides international flights to connect the delta area with other destinations.
Flying to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City
When deciding whether to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, there are a few factors to consider.
Firstly, a majority of travelers choose to start their Vietnam journey in the south by flying into Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). This is partly because flight prices to Ho Chi Minh City are often cheaper compared to Hanoi. The larger number of international flights to Ho Chi Minh City contributes to the competitive pricing.
Additionally, Ho Chi Minh City is often seen as offering a somewhat “softer” landing culturally for first-time visitors to Vietnam. The city has a more cosmopolitan and modern vibe, with a blend of traditional and contemporary attractions. This can be advantageous for travelers who prefer a smoother transition into the country’s cultural nuances. However, it’s important to note that this aspect may be subjective, and some travelers may prefer the bustling charm of Hanoi.
On the other hand, Hanoi’s airport, Noi Bai International Airport, is known for being more modern and efficient. Travelers often find that everything, including immigration procedures, tends to move faster at this airport compared to Ho Chi Minh City’s airport. However, it’s worth considering that Noi Bai International Airport is located further away from the city center, which may require additional travel time and logistics to reach your destination.
Flying from Europe to Vietnam
Direct flights
- London, United Kingdom: London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is a common departure point for direct flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
- Paris, France: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is another major hub with direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
- Frankfurt, Germany: Frankfurt Airport (FRA) serves as a connection point for several airlines offering direct flights to Vietnam.
Airlines
Popular airlines flying between Europe and Vietnam:
- KLM (stopover at Singapore or Kuala Lumpur)
- Emirates (stopover at Dubai)
- Vietnam Airlines (stopover at Frankfurt)
- Etihad Airways (stopover at Abu Dhabi)
- Malaysia Airlines (stopover at Singapore or Kuala Lumpur)
- Cathay Pacific (stopover at Hong Kong)
- China Southern (stopover at Guangzhou)
Cost for flight ticket
A rough estimate for a round-trip economy class ticket between Europe and Vietnam can range from approximately $600 to $1,500 USD or more, depending on season, date, airline and flight route.
Flight time
Direct flights between Europe and Vietnam have an average duration of around 12 hours. For flights that include a transit or layover, the total travel time can range from approximately 15 to 22 hours.
Flying from United States & Canada to Vietnam
Direct flights
- San Francisco, California: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the only airport offering direct flights between United States and Vietnam.
There are no direct flights from Canada.
Airlines
Popular airlines flying between both Canada and the United Sates with Vietnam:
- Korean Air (stopover at Seoul, Korea)
- China Airlines (stopover at Taipei, Taiwan)
- ANA (stopover at Tokyo, Japan)
- Delta(stopover at Seoul, Korea)
- Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)
Cost for flight ticket
A rough estimate, a round-trip economy class ticket between the United States and Vietnam can range from approximately $700 to $1,500 USD or more.
Flight time
The only direct flight from the US to Vietnam is from San Francisco, which typically takes a bit more than 16 hours.
For flights from Los Angeles, the average duration is around 18 to 22 hours, including transit. This also applies to flights departing from Vancouver, Canada. From New York, the fastest flights would have an average duration of around 21 hours, including transit.
It’s important to note that these are average durations and can vary based on factors such as flight connections, layover times, and the specific airline you choose. While it is possible to find flights with longer durations that can extend the total travel time to over 30 hours, it is generally recommended to search for flights with shorter durations.
Flying from Australia & New Zeeland to Vietnam
Direct flights
- Melbourne, Victoria: Melbourne Airport (MEL) offers direct flights between Australia and Vietnam.
- Sydney, New South Wales: Sydney Airport (SYD) is a common departure point for direct flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Airlines
- Jetstar (direct flight between Melbourne and Vietnam)
- VietJet Air (direct flight between Melbourne and Vietnam)
- Vietnam Airlines (direct flight between both Sydney and Melbourne with Vietnam)
- Air Asia (stopover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
- Thai Airways (stopover in Bangkok, Thailand)
Cost for flight ticket
A rough estimate, a round-trip economy class ticket between Australia and Vietnam can range from approximately $500 to $1,200 USD or more, depending on the factors mentioned above.
Flight time
Direct flights from both Sydney and Melbourne to Vietnam have an average duration of about 9 hours. Flights with a stopover or transit typically take between 12 to 16 hours. The fastest connection from New Zealand to Vietnam takes a little over 14 hours, although most flights have a total duration of around 20 hours, including the transit time.
Flying from Asia to Vietnam
Many people use the cheaper option of a flight to Vietnam via Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong. A stay in one of these cities can be incorporated into your schedule, often at very little extra cost. You can save even more by booking a cheap flight ticket from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Vietnam with a budget airline, such as Jetstar, Tiger Airways and Air Asia.
Regional air connections from Asia to Vietnam are getting better and better. You can fly from many cities in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand and there are also plenty of options from South Korea, Japan and China. Budget options are increasing every year: from Singapore you can choose from Jetstar, Scoot, Silk Air and Vietjet Air, and from Bangkok you can take AirAsia, Jetstar, Lion Air, Nok Air or Vietjet. There are also plenty of options from Kuala Lumpur.
