HÀ NỘI — Passengers are being urged to book air tickets early for the Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1) holidays as high fuel costs and planned route reductions tighten supply conditions and drive up fares, even as airlines expand capacity to meet rising demand.

Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Jet A-1 fuel prices have remained elevated and volatile, prompting carriers to consider fare increases from April 2026.

A survey on March 31 showed promotional fares are scarce on most routes, while flight frequencies have fallen. This has affected trunk routes such as Hà Nội–HCM City and tourism routes nationwide.

On the Hà Nội–HCM City route in April, the lowest one-way fare is around VNĐ2.5 million (US$96) for early morning or late-night flights, rising to about VNĐ5 million ($192) during peak hours. Fares for Hà Nội–Nha Trang start at roughly VNĐ3 million and can reach VNĐ7 million at popular times, up 10-20 per cent year-on-year.

Vietnamese carriers are preparing to scale back operations on several domestic routes from April, citing persistently high jet fuel prices. The move is expected to reduce seat availability and push ticket prices higher during the peak travel period.

Vietnam Airlines plans to suspend several routes from April 1, including Hải Phòng–Buôn Ma Thuột, Hải Phòng–Cam Ranh, Hải Phòng–Phú Quốc, Hải Phòng–Cần Thơ, HCM City–Vân Đồn, HCM City–Rạch Giá, and HCM City–Điện Biên, affecting 23 flights per week.

Bamboo Airways said it would prioritise trunk routes such as Hà Nội–HCM City–Đà Nẵng and high-demand tourism destinations. Frequencies may be reduced if fuel prices remain high, though charter flights to China and the Philippines will continue.

“For this year’s April 30 peak period, domestic passengers typically book close to departure dates, so capacity remains available at present, including on tourism routes. However, travellers are encouraged to plan ahead and book early to secure more options in schedules and fares,” a Bamboo Airways representative said.

At the same time, airlines are boosting capacity for the holiday peak.

Vietnam Airlines group, including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and VASCO, plans nearly 1.12 million seats, up 15.5 per cent year-on-year, across almost 5,500 domestic and international flights.

On domestic routes, the group will operate more than 3,800 flights with over 730,000 seats, up 13.3 per cent in flights and 16 per cent in seats. Capacity will focus on key routes linking Hà Nội, HCM City and Đà Nẵng, as well as tourism destinations such as Nha Trang, Phú Quốc, Huế and Quy Nhơn.

Internationally, nearly 1,700 flights with close to 390,000 seats are planned, up over 13 per cent in both flights and capacity compared with the same period last year.

Nguyễn Quang Trung, deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines, said the airline is adding flights and operating flexibly to meet surging holiday demand while maintaining connectivity, but urged passengers to book early to secure suitable travel options during the peak period.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, more than 60 per cent of nearly 40 international and regional airlines surveyed have introduced or plan to introduce fuel surcharges or fare increases since mid-March 2026.

Domestic carriers have yet to officially announce fare hikes and are trying to keep prices stable. However, with fuel costs remaining unpredictable, upward pressure on fares is expected in the coming weeks. — VNS