Tet airfares from Vietnam to Thailand double as holiday demand soars

Hanoi resident Hoang Anh was taken aback while checking flights to Bangkok during the Lunar New Year holidays.

For flights with convenient departure times, return fares were nearly VND9 million (US$347) and with accommodation, dining and entertainment costs, a four-day trip for two would cost around VND30 million, she saw.

She said: "At that rate, I'd prefer to put the trip off and travel at another time. I thought Thailand, which doesn't observe Lunar New Year, would be cheaper, but it's now just as pricey as a trip within Vietnam."

Average fares between Hanoi and Bangkok are VND8-10 million between Feb. 19 and 22, or twice the normal rates.

The New Year of the Horse begins on Feb. 17. Vietnam takes a nine-day break from Feb. 14 to 22.

Tickets on the Ho Chi Minh City-Bangkok route cost VND5-8 million, also nearly twice the usual rate.

Pham Anh Vu, deputy general director of Du Lich Viet Company, a tour operator, said the number of flights to Thailand have increased by 10-20% from a year ago.

Booking early is the best way to secure better fares, he added.

Bui Thanh Tu, marketing director of travel firm Best Price, said the third to sixth days of the new year are the peak outbound travel period as many people prefer to celebrate the New Year at home before making short overseas trips and returning in time for work.

Data from online travel sites like Agoda and Booking.com shows Bangkok was the most searched overseas destination by Vietnamese for Tet this year.