Airlines close to selling out Reunification, Labor Day flights

A survey by VnExpress found that flights at reasonable hours from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to popular tourist destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao are sold out. Tickets for early morning and late night flights are still available, but fares are rising quickly.

Fares are 10-20 percent higher than last year as a result of higher taxes and fees. 

Loan of HCMC was unable to get tickets to travel to Con Dao island in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, around 230 kilometers (143 miles) southeast of HCMC, despite trying a month in advance.

"Usually, Con Dao tickets only need to be bought one week in advance. This time I decided to book one month ahead to get a reasonable price, but wasn’t able to find any tickets after asking three agencies," she said.

They promised to find alternative routes for her but they cost double, she said. "We have decided to take the train on April 30 though it is quite time consuming."

According to airlines, demand has risen this year because of the longer holidays, and many tickets remained unsold last year.

Since Reunification Day, April 30, falls on a Tuesday, the government has declared Monday too a holiday, and it is followed by Labor Day on May 1, making for a five-day break.

The seat shortage is despite airlines increasing the number of flights. According to a joint statement from Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific, they will offer a combined one million seats on 4,700 flights between April 26 and May 5. This is 78,000 more than in the same period last year.