Transportation in Vietnam: by Airlines

Quick Facts

• The most convenient and efficient way to travel in Vietnam is by airplane.
• There are over 20 airports in Vietnam, of which Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City is the largest.
• There are 3 main airports in Vietnam. These are: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang International Airport (DAD) in Da Nang.
• Six airline companies operate Vietnam’s domestic air routes. The biggest, most influential and reliable of these is Vietnam Airlines.
• The most popular routes within Vietnam cost around USD 100 or less one-way.
• There is no airport in Hoi An, and the nearest airport to Hoi An is Da Nang Airport, which is only a 30 km (19 mi) drive from Hoi An which takes about 45 minutes by private car.

5 Reasons for Taking a Flight around Vietnam

2. Comfortability

Covering long distances by road in Vietnam can be far from comfortable, due to the country's underdeveloped infrastructure. It takes a long time to travel by bus, and the journey is both slow and bumpy. For shorter distances (for example: Hanoi to Halong Bay), however, traveling by car is comfortable enough.

Comfort can also be an issue on trains if you end up with a hard berth (which are the cheaper tickets) for an extended amount of time. 

Hard Berth in the Train

5. Convenience

There are many professional English-speaking staff at the airport and on Vietnam’s airplanes, meaning the experience is generally more convenient for tourists to fly when compared to buses and trains where things can get a little confusing. Checking in for a train in Vietnam, for example, can be quite complicated while airports are much more familiar environments for everybody.

Booking Flight Tickets in Vietnam

Tickets for domestic flights in Vietnam can be purchased online on any of the airline websites. Most airlines accept online payment, and issue e-tickets. You can take a look at flight schedules before booking your tickets, but it's important to mention here that the process isn’t always seamless.

It's better to purchase tickets from a travel agent. Ticket prices are the same as the published fare, and the entire process is comparatively hassle-free. Agents are reliable and have the schedules of all the airlines. For example, if you  make the reservation with Asia Highlights, we will inform you of any flight changes and help craft the best itinerary to suit your travel needs.

We do, however, advise that you double-check all details on your ticket to avoid any unwanted problems.

It is important to pay attention to baggage limits when booking domestic flights in Vietnam, as budget airlines usually charge extra for baggage fees of preferred seating.

We recommend booking in advance to get a better deal on domestic airplane travel in Vietnam, and booking your additional baggage allowance in advance, if this is applicable for your journey, this will save you hassle at the airport too.

Best Airline in Vietnam - Vietnam Airlines

Of the 6 main airline companies in Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines — a state-owned corporation — is the biggest and most influential. It takes up approximately 70% of the domestic market share.

Other notable carriers include: Jetstar Pacific, Air Mekong, VietJet Air, Blue Sky Air, and VASCO.

Vietnam Airlines, however, remains the preferred airline for most visitors. It is popular among travelers as it's reliable, convenient, and has prices comparable to other airlines. We choose to stick with it when making reservations for our guests, due to its excellent reputation.

Popular Domestic Routes and Prices in Vietnam

Most visitors usually visit Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. The flying sequence is: Hanoi (your port of entry in Vietnam) — Hanoi — Hue — private transfer to Hoi An — Hoi An to Da Nang International Airport by private transfer — Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City — departure from Ho Chi Minh City

This is a similar route to our 13-Day Vietnam Classic Wonders with Sapa tour.

Some visitors want to include Phu Quoc Island in the above-mentioned itinerary. In this case, the new itinerary would be as follows: Hanoi (your port of entry in Vietnam) — Hanoi — Hue — private transfer to Hoi An — Hoi An to Da Nang International Airport by private transfer — Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City — Phu Quoc Island — return to Ho Chi Minh City — departure from Ho Chi Minh City

We offer an amazing 15-Day Vietnam Exploration tour which also includes Phu Quoc Island.

Similarly, if you're keen on including either Mui Ne or Da Lat to the original itinerary, the new itinerary would be as follows: Hanoi (your port of entry in Vietnam) — Hue — private transfer to Hoi An — Hoi An to Da Nang International Airport — Da Nang to Mui Ne or Da Lat — Mui Ne or Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City — departure from Ho Chi Minh City

Here's an easy-to-consult guide highlighting all the important flight routes within Vietnam, the airline companies operating these routes, and the prices for each:

NB: The prices mentioned above are approximate.