Airfares plummet as more flights resume

Fares from HCMC to Hanoi between Oct. 24 and 30 ranged from VND1.3-2.8 million ($57-123), and from VND0.9-1.55 million in the opposite direction.

In the first week of October, the HCMC-Hanoi fare on Vietnam Airlines was often VND3.6 million. With economy class tickets sold out sometimes, passengers had to buy business class tickets at VND7.6 million.

Airlines, which resumed on 21 routes but with only one return flight a day in early October, are now allowed up to six daily between Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang, and four on other routes until Nov. 14.

After this period they will be allowed to operate seven between the three major cities until Nov. 30.

Now economy fares for a return flight between HCMC and Da Nang are VND1.4-2.7 million, down from the earlier VND2.5-3 million.

Vietnam Airlines, which has resumed flying on 40 routes, including to Con Dao, Dien Bien, Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, and Lam Dong, plans to resume most of its services between Oct. 21 and Nov. 30.

Budget carrier Vietjet has resumed flying on many sectors since Oct. 21, including to HCMC, Hanoi and Da Nang.

It is providing free quick Covid tests for passengers departing from HCMC and Hanoi.

Bamboo Airways plans to resume a total of 31 domestic routes and increase the number of flights from now to Oct. 31.

According to Ministry of Transport regulations, from Oct. 21 people flying from areas with lower Covid-19 risk levels need to fulfill only one of three conditions: fully vaccinated between 14 days and 12 months before the flight, recovered from Covid-19 within the past six months or tested negative within 72 hours prior to departure.