As of mid-September 2025, more than five months ahead of Tết Nguyên Đán 2026 (Vietnamese Lunar New Year, expected to fall between February 14 and February 22), airlines in Vietnam have already begun selling tickets for this holiday period.
The two-week window around the holiday, particularly between February 10 and 22, is when many Vietnamese return to their hometowns for family reunions or take extended trips for leisure, often using annual leave to extend their break. This surge in demand is a key reason why ticket prices are rising sharply, especially on high-traffic domestic routes.
The early ticket sales, price trends, and commentary from travel agents suggest that planning as soon as possible could save headaches later. Here’s what we know so far, what experts are saying, and what you might want to do.
Seats & Demand Rising
Many Vietnamese plan their outbound journeys 4-5 days before the first day of Tet (which is expected to begin on 14 February 2026) to allow ample time for transit, stopovers, or visits to multiple hometowns. These early departures often fall on 10 February, making it a “super-peak” day. The return rush tends to cluster around 21-22 February, right before the workweek resumes on Monday, 23 February.
Vietnam Airlines Group (including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO) officially opened ticket sales for the Tet 2026 peak period, from 2 February to 3 March 2026 (15 tháng Chạp đến 15 tháng Giêng), with over 3.5 million seats available, almost a 20% increase in supply compared to the same period last year.
Vietjet Air has also joined the rush: they have released 2.5 million tickets for that same peak window. Together, both major carriers are supplying more than 6 million seats overall.
These numbers show airlines expect high demand, both for people returning home for family reunions and for domestic or international tourism. Some routes that will likely be heavily booked are those connecting Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City with provinces like Hải Phòng, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Huế, Gia Lai, and vacation destinations like Phú Quốc. (Source)
Prices: Already Higher Than Last Year
Ticket prices are already climbing, and in most cases, they're fixed at high levels with little room for fluctuation.
On September 11, 2025, two of Vietnam’s most popular carriers, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, revealed that prices on major domestic routes are noticeably higher than the same period last year from 300,000 VND to 800,000 VND (≈ US$12–30), a significant jump for domestic flights that typically range within a few million Vietnam dong.
A spot check of airfare pricing for February 10, 2026 showed a round-trip economy ticket between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, arguably the country’s busiest route, now sits between 5.5 to 7.4 million VND (≈ US$210–280) with Vietnam Airlines, while business class can surge as high as 9.8 million VND one-way (≈ US$370).
Low-cost carrier Vietjet Air offers a cheaper alternative, with economy fares ranging from 896,000 VND to 3.6 million VND (≈ US$35–140), but those prices don’t include checked baggage. For travelers willing to splurge on comfort, Vietjet’s “SkyBoss” class goes from 3.8 to 6.4 million VND (≈ US$145–240) depending on date and demand.
Flights to Da Nang or Hue, popular routes for both returning locals and holiday travelers, currently show economy fares starting from 2.5 million VND (≈ US$95) on Vietnam Airlines, and ranging from 680,000 VND to 2.4 million VND (≈ US$26–91) on Vietjet. These rates are noticeably higher than usual, with some base fares rising by up to 40% compared to off-peak periods.
The Struggle To Get The Right Tickets
Despite millions of tickets being released in this first wave of Tet 2026 sales, finding the right ticket, one that’s affordable, convenient, and fits your schedule, is already proving to be a challenge.
“Even though there are still many seat options available, cheap economy seats are the first to go. Thus, budget-conscious travelers will need to act fast,” Mr. Hung, owner of the tier-1 flight ticket agency Minh Phương Trang, shares.
Return tickets are especially important to plan early. And with economy prices already ranging from 1,551,000 to 3,741,000 VND ($61–$147 USD) one-way for Vietnam Airlines, and similar peak ranges on Vietjet, travelers without a fixed schedule may end up paying significantly more or flying at off-peak hours.
Ms. Bích, a 27-year-old office worker in Ho Chi Minh City, described the dilemma many young professionals face: “My company hasn’t confirmed the official holiday break yet, so I can’t commit to exact travel dates. Even though tickets are already available, I have to wait.”
She’s not alone. Last year, she recalled, people struggled so much to find flights that some resorted to booking through Bangkok or other indirect routes just to get home to Hanoi in time for the holiday.
| Source: Tiền Phong
How You Should Plan Ahead
While options are still open and more ticket batches will likely be released, the most budget-friendly seats are quickly snapped up. If you’re looking to avoid price shocks, or airport chaos during peak hours, experts recommend locking in round-trip flights as soon as your plans are firm.
If you're planning to travel within Vietnam during Tết Nguyên Đán 2026 (Lunar New Year), here are a few useful travel tips to help you navigate the busiest time of the year with less stress:
1. Monitor Price Trends & Choose Flexible Dates
If you can be flexible, avoid the peak days immediately before and after Tet’s lunar New Year’s Eve. Flying a few days earlier or later can make a big difference.
2. Use Official Channels
Always buy through airline websites, mobile apps, or authorized ticket agents to avoid scams or overcharging. Airlines like Vietnam Airlines have already warned about fake agents.
3. Book Round-Trip Tickets Early
Booking round-trip tickets helps you estimate total costs more accurately and avoids the risk of return flights becoming expensive or selling out.
4. Plan Accommodation and Travel Connections Alongside Flight
Getting a flight is only part of the trip. Transport to the airport, lodging, possibly returning home from rural provinces, all fill quickly too. Book those together if possible.
5. Have Backup Options
If flights are full or expensive, consider ground travel (bus or train) or flights to nearby airports and connecting ground travel. Some people are doing that already (book flights to provinces near their destination and then road travel).
For those traveling abroad instead of domestically, the process may be less stressful, but ticket prices can still spike during this time, so early planning remains essential.