From Halong Bay to Phu Quốc in a single coffee break ? Choose the right airline...

Vietnam, this long silhouette in an "S" shape lying on the East Sea, can sometimes make you dizzy just by looking at a map. Between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, despite the romantic charm of a slow-motion film, the plane remains the preferred "fast-forward" mode for busy travelers. Want to go from Halong Bay to Phu Quoc between sips of coffee? It's possible, provided you choose the right company... and read the instructions before takeoff.

Here is everything you need to know to fly smart, avoid extra costs, and keep your cool at the airport.

There was a time - not so long ago - when Vietnam Airlines flew solo. Then VietJet arrived with its discounted prices and hostesses in mini-shorts, disrupting the hierarchy of the skies. Result: today, Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in Southeast Asia.

In Hanoi as in Ho Chi Minh City, the two major hubs (Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat) have the class but not the mass. The result? A very dense domestic network. Between the two megacities, it's madness: 10 to 12 flights per day, the "golden route" of VietJet and others. Hanoi-Danang? 6 to 8 daily connections.

Vietnam is currently undergoing an XXL airport construction boom.
The government aims to decongest the hubs and boost regional tourism. So, it's not just renovations anymore, they are changing dimensions altogether.
The star project? Long Thanh, the future giant baby near Ho Chi Minh City. Not just an airport, no: a global hub made in Vietnam, designed to rival Singapore and Bangkok.
Objective: 100 million passengers. In short, the country's eco-lung, 2030 version. And it's not just about cities. Vietnam is targeting remote areas. Yesterday, to see the terraced rice fields of Sa Pa or the sand dunes of Mui Ne, you had to be motivated: hours of driving, aching back, troubled soul.
Tomorrow? The plane picks you up at the foot of the mountain or by the beach. Easy.
The plan is clear: transform every iconic spot into a "one-hour flight destination". Between Dien Bien Phu (freshly revamped) and the future terminals on the islands, Vietnam is weaving its aviation web like a boss. The message is clear: the dragon is changing its air, and it aims to become the essential crossroad in Southeast Asia.
 

Vietnam Airlines, the national company with the Golden Lotus

Currently, three main players share the sky, each with a very different approach.

It is the national carrier, a member of the SkyTeam alliance (like Air France).

It operates on the full service model (Full-Service Carrier, as they say in brochures), checked baggage (23 kg), complimentary meal, and top-notch punctuality. Allows for mileage accumulation if you have an international connection. However, you pay for peace of mind: higher fares (sometimes double compared to low-cost carriers).
Perfect for families, travelers with lots of luggage, or transit addicts who have a connection to catch in Bangkok in 90 minutes.
 

VietJet: The low‑cost carrier that blows up your budget - if your are not carefull

The private company that shook up the market.
Known for its ridiculously low prices and sometimes controversial marketing, it is the epitome of pure low-cost. While the initial prices are tempting, in the final basket, it inflates: baggage, seat, insurance, water bottle... if you exceed by 200 g, you'll be charged the equivalent of a gourmet meal. And since VietJet's planes sometimes have their own time zone, bring a thick book. With limited legroom, numerous hidden fees, and a customer service that's hard to reach, the low-cost carrier that blows up your budget mainly targets adventurers of all kinds, students, and other "I'm leaving with a backpack and I own it" travelers.
 

Bamboo Airways, the third way... when the route exists

Launched in 2019, Bamboo Airways positions itself as an intermediary, offering a model "more than a low-cost, cheaper than a major."

The "third way" stands out with a young fleet, smiling staff, but with financial health in rehabilitation.
Advantage: when the route exists, it often offers the best "comfort/price" ratio.
Disadvantage: the route might disappear between the moment you click and when you close the tab. Check, double-check, cross your fingers.
 

Jump on a plane and go explore the bushy trails of northern Vietnam | Mr Linh's Adventures

While the "Big Three" dominate the landscape, a few actors, occupy specific niches.

More confidential, Vietravel Airlines is a niche carrier

This is where the bill can skyrocket. A VietJet ticket advertised at $30 can end up at $80 if you're not careful.

✓ 7 kg is 7 kg. Not 7.3 kg. VietJet has a fussy scale and punitive fares. Buy the checked baggage option online: -50% pain.
✓ Patiently uncheck all unnecessary options (cat assistance, vegan sandwich, "lucky" window seat).
✓ In the Vietnamese system, the last name comes first. Make sure the Last Name/First Name order matches exactly with your passport. A simple error can force you to buy a new ticket.
✓ Tết hell: during the Lunar New Year (in January or February), prices go x5 and queues go x10. If you're traveling at this time, book months in advance!
✓ The last flight: Never opt for the last flight of the day with a low-cost airline: fewer cascades of delays, less night at the airport.

Domestic and international terminals are separate in Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). If you arrive from an international flight and depart on a domestic flight, allow 3 hours 30 minutes to change buildings, retrieve, re-check, re-queue, especially in high season. Online check-in via apps is highly recommended to save time at the counter.
 

Explore limitlessly: Whether you land at the foot of the Northern mountains (Hanoi) for memorable treks or on the Southern beaches (Phu Quoc) for island explorations, your journey begins here. Discover our unique adventure circuits in Vietnam and let yourself be guided towards the unexpected.
 

Phú Quốc’s beaches are just an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City | Mr Linh's Adventures

Dreaming of serenity and your every wish is "taken care of"? Vietnam Airlines extends its wings to you. Solo traveler or budget backpacker? VietJet whisks you away for a song into exploring Vietnam. Trust Bamboo Airways as soon as you find a competitive fare... and a flight.

► Read also : Flying to Vietnam

Have a great journey in the Vietnamese sky!

 

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