Airfares for Tet 2025 rise by 9%

A return flight from HCMC to Hanoi for the 2025 Lunar New Year, which could see a nine-day from Jan. 25 to Feb. 2 if a recent proposal by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is approved, costs VND6.6-7.4 million (US$270-300) compared to VND6-6.8 million around this time last year.

Round trips from HCMC to many northern and central provinces have also become 5-8% more expensive.

Flights between HCMC and Vinh City in Nghe An Province now cost VND7.3 million while HCMC-Hai Phong City tickets are selling for VND7 million.

Thanh Loan, a worker at a textile company in HCMC’s Thu Duc City, said a return flight to Chu Lai airport in Quang Nam Province would cost a staggering VND20 million for her family of four.

So they plan to take a bus to her hometown and fly back, saving VND6 million.

Prices have increased despite the lack of early clamor for tickets unlike in previous years.

Pham Thi Thu, who runs a flight booking agency in Hanoi’s Cau Giay District, said a lot of people bought tickets for Tet by this time last year, but she has only seen a few buy so far this year.

Prices of one-way flight tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City departing on Feb. 2, 2025, the last day of the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Photo by VnExpress/Thi Ha

According to various booking websites, none of the Tet flights have been sold out.

A spokesperson for a carrier said passengers are booking Tet flights later than in previous years but prices have increased slightly due to a shortage of aircraft and rising costs.

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, two major carriers, said the fares are unlikely to decrease due to higher maintenance, fuel and other costs.

The U.S. dollar gained 4.4% against by Vietnamese dong in the first half of 2024, increasing costs for airlines.

In June, Le Hong Ha, CEO of Vietnam Airlines, said more than a dozen Airbus and Boeing planes had to be grounded due to engine issues.

To avoid a spike in airfares during Tet, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has asked airlines to expand their fleets and optimize flight schedules.

Vietnam Airlines is expected to receive three new aircraft, while Vietjet will add 10 to its fleet. Others such as Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines also have similar plans.

The aviation authority has instructed airlines to publish and keep ticket prices steady and advise passengers to book tickets early.