High airfares keep Vietnamese migrant workers from returning home for Tet

Airfare exceeds year's savings

Reader Tranhai shared: "There are three people in my family. To return home for nine days during Tet, the total transportation cost is over VND20 million (US$805). We work hard and save all year, but the high ticket prices make it impossible for us to go home. We may have to miss this Tet. The authorities should consider measures to bring ticket prices down to levels that match people's income."

According to Tranhai, despite being three months away from the Lunar New Year, round-trip tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi are already priced between VND6.6-7.4 million — about an 8% increase compared to the previous year. Flights to northern and central provinces from Ho Chi Minh City are seeing similar price hikes.

Reader DuyNghi Le expressed frustration at the rising costs: "I run a business, and I hesitate to buy plane tickets for my family of four to return home for Tet. The round-trip airfare alone is around VND48 million, not including travel from home to the airports. In total, the transportation cost is around VND50-60 million, a huge expense for us—equivalent to our saving for the entire year."

Airline representatives have explained that the increase in ticket prices is due to factors like aircraft scarcity, fluctuating input costs, and rising expenses for repairs, maintenance, and equipment rentals. Additionally, domestic airfare ceiling prices were increased by 3.75% on March 1.

'Terrible rates'

Comparing airfare prices with the average worker's income, reader Tttrungbdsy pointed out the disparity: "If the average worker in major cities earns around VND20 million a month (though not everyone does), the current airfare represents 30% of their monthly income. This is a really terrible rate. We have low incomes, but the prices of goods and services are too high. Many of us may not be able to afford to return home this Tet."

Reader Kien Pt reflected on the financial burden of travel during Tet: "Those of us who moved south for work, earning average incomes, face a challenge every time we need to return home for Tet. With the cost of accommodation, education, and everyday expenses, the airfare becomes an even bigger hurdle."