Finding the best flight deals to Vietnam doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need some simple strategies and a few tools to help you save money on airfare. With a little planning, you can get incredible flight deals, whether you’re flying from Europe, North America, or within Southeast Asia.
Book at the Right Time
Timing is everything when it comes to scoring the best flight deals. The best time to book flights to Vietnam is usually 2-3 months before your departure. Booking too early or too late can end up costing you more.
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Try avoiding booking during major holidays or peak travel seasons like Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) or Christmas. Flight prices shoot up during these times. If you are flexible with your dates, mid-week flights tend to be cheaper. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the best for lower fares.
Use Price Alerts
Set price alerts using services like Google Flights or Skyscanner. These services will notify you when fares drop, so you don’t have to check daily. It’s an easy way to stay on top of changing prices without putting in too much effort.
Use Flight Comparison Tools
Flight comparison tools are your best friend when it comes to finding cheap flights. Some popular options include:
- Google Flights
- Skyscanner
- Momondo
- Kayak
These sites let you compare prices across multiple airlines and websites, so you can quickly spot the best deals. Each tool has slightly different features. Google Flights is great for visualizing routes, while Momondo often finds lesser-known budget airlines.
Consider Nearby Airports
If you’re not finding great prices flying into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, try searching for flights into neighboring countries like Thailand or Malaysia. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to fly to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur and then catch a budget flight to Vietnam.
Try Budget Airlines
Vietnam has a growing number of budget airlines that offer flights at much lower prices than major carriers. These options are ideal for short regional flights within Asia:
- VietJet Air
- Bamboo Airways
- Jetstar Pacific
- AirAsia
Keep in mind that while these airlines may offer cheap base fares, they often charge extra for things like baggage, seat selection, and meals. Be sure to read the fine print to avoid surprises later.
Watch for Sales and Promotions
Budget airlines often have flash sales, especially VietJet Air, which has frequent promotions where you can snag flights for just a few dollars (not including taxes and fees). Sign up for their newsletters or follow them on social media to stay updated on upcoming sales.
Layovers vs. Direct Flights
If you don’t mind a layover, you can often find cheaper flights with one or two stops. Layovers in China or Singapore are common on flights to Vietnam.
However, always weigh the savings against the inconvenience. A longer trip or overnight layover might save some money but can make your journey more tiresome, especially if you’re traveling with kids or on a tight schedule.
Check Visa-Free Transit Cities
Certain cities like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur allow visa-free transit for a limited time. If you’re passing through, you can use this chance to explore another city without needing to apply for a visa. It’s a great way to add a mini-trip to your journey.
Local and Regional Flight Options
Other than international flights into major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam also has domestic routes that can help you get around the country quickly and affordably. Vietnam Airlines is the main carrier for domestic flights, but VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways also offer plenty of domestic routes at lower costs.
For example, if you’re already in Southeast Asia, flights from cities like Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur are very affordable with budget carriers, making them great options if you want to bounce between countries.
Use Open-Jaw Tickets
Open-jaw tickets allow you to fly into one city and out from another. So, for example, you could fly into Hanoi and fly out of Ho Chi Minh City. This is a great option if you plan to travel the length of the country and don’t want to backtrack. Plus, it can sometimes be cheaper than booking round-trip flights.
Keep Track of Luggage Fees
Budget airlines often lure you in with low base ticket prices but then nickel-and-dime you with additional fees for baggage. Always check the baggage policy before booking your flight.
The cost of checked baggage can quickly mount up if you’re flying with budget carriers like VietJet Air or Jetstar. If you’re traveling light, you could get away with just a carry-on to save even more money.
Consider Flying from Hub Cities
Hub cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong often have cheaper connections to Vietnam. Flying from one of these hubs can save you hundreds on your ticket, especially if you’re flying from North America or Europe.
If you find a good deal to a major Southeast Asian city, don’t hesitate to book it. From there, you can hop on a budget airline to Vietnam for super low prices.
Be Flexible with Airports
Instead of always flying into big airports like Hanoi (Noi Bai) or Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), check smaller airports like Da Nang or Nha Trang. Sometimes, flights into these airports are cheaper, giving you more options and flexibility.
Many budget airlines and even some major carriers like Qatar Airways or Emirates fly into these smaller airports offering great deals. Even if it’s a little out of the way, the money you save might make it worth it to start or end your trip in a lesser-known city.
Check Airline Alliances and Codeshares
Keep in mind some airlines are part of bigger alliances, like Star Alliance or SkyTeam. You can often use frequent flyer miles or earn miles across partner airlines. Look for codeshare agreements to catch better deals by flying with a partner airline.
If you’re loyal to a particular airline, this is also a great way to accumulate points or get benefits like priority boarding or upgrades.
Use Rewards Points and Miles
If you’ve racked up any airline miles or credit card reward points, now is the perfect time to use them. Many airlines flying to Vietnam accept miles for tickets, and booking with miles can sometimes save quite a bit of money.
If you don’t have enough points for a free flight, some airlines offer options to use your miles to pay part of the ticket cost and cover the rest with cash. It still helps lower the total price.
Booking Multi-Stop or Round-the-World Tickets
If you’re planning a longer trip through several countries, consider booking a multi-stop ticket. Some airlines allow you to book multiple legs of your journey at a lower cost. You can visit multiple countries (including Vietnam) without overpaying for separate tickets.
This option is particularly useful if you’re doing a trip around Southeast Asia. Round-the-world tickets also let you stop in multiple regions at a fraction of the cost of separate bookings.
Final Thoughts
Finding cheap flights to Vietnam isn’t that difficult if you know where to look. Use comparison tools, consider budget airlines, and be flexible with dates and layovers. With these tips, you can save a lot of money on airline tickets and have more to spend exploring the beautiful country of Vietnam.
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