Tour price to Laos is nearly 13 million, more expensive than going to Thailand, Vietnamese tourists are reluctant to spend money

Airfares are expensive

According to data from the Department of Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Laos, in the first 8 months of 2025, Laos welcomed more than 3.06 million international visitors. Of which, Thai visitors led with 977,675 arrivals, followed by Vietnam with 790,403 arrivals - second in the region.

On the other hand, data from the General Statistics Office shows that more than 158,000 Lao tourists visited Vietnam in the first 10 months of 2025. In October alone, Vietnam welcomed more than 10,500 arrivals, an increase of 123%.

Laos attracts Vietnamese tourists thanks to its close distance, convenient transportation, visa-free policy, and the attraction of cultural and heritage destinations. However, the cost of traveling to Laos remains high, especially when entering by air. The limited number of flights and routes keeps ticket prices high.

Specifically, Vietnam Airlines is operating 12 flights per week from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City to Vientiane, Luang Prabang; Vietjet Air only operates the Ho Chi Minh City - Vientiane route. The price of a direct flight from Hanoi to Luang Prabang ranges from over 7 million VND/round trip ticket (Vietnam Airlines) to 8.2 million VND (Laos Airlines)... as expensive as a package tour to Thailand.

Royal Palace Edict 508.jpg — The Lao Royal Palace, a testament to ancient wealth, is now the National Museum. Photo: Pham Hong Hue

Talking to VietNamNet reporter , Mr. Pham Van Bay, Deputy Director of Vietravel Hanoi Tourism, commented that high airfare costs, combined with high service prices, make Laos tours less competitive.

“Laos has no policy of subsidy, stimulus or cooperation between parties to get the best price, so it is difficult to reduce airfare and land tour prices, even though the tourism products of Laos are very attractive with beautiful scenery, friendly people, especially the good traditional relationship between the two countries,” he said.

Vietravel has weekly tours to Laos, flying Vietnam Airlines, with a cost of over 10 million VND for a 5-day trip. With this price, Mr. Bay said that it cannot compete with tours to Thailand that cost only 7-8 million VND, depending on the time. Meanwhile, Laos only attracts middle-aged and elderly tourists, those who travel purely with traditional products, slow living; there are not many new and exciting services that attract young people.

BestPrice Travel Company is operating tours from Hanoi to Luang Prabang, flying Laos Airlines, with tour prices of 15.5 million VND (5 days 4 nights) or connecting programs to 3 Indochina countries, with prices starting from 60 million VND or more. According to Mr. Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of the company, expensive airfares are putting great pressure on tour prices.

A business in Hanoi that used to operate this tour, priced at nearly 13 million VND for a 4-day trip, has temporarily stopped due to lack of customers.

Meanwhile, the Hanoi - Vientiane - Luang Prabang road tour operated by travel companies through Cau Treo border gate has a cheaper price, starting from only 7.5 million VND for a 6-day trip, but the travel time takes up nearly 2 days, making customers reluctant to register.

More competition, more choices

Recently, the Thai low-cost airline has just announced the opening of a direct flight connecting Hanoi with Luang Prabang. Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, General Director of Thai AirAsia, said that the first flight from Luang Prabang to Hanoi achieved an occupancy rate of 87%. Ticket prices are on sale from 1.79 million VND/way.

"Hanoi is a popular destination not only for Thai and Lao tourists but also for international tourists. The new route will help increase choices for tourists and create better competitiveness," Mr. Santisuk shared.

Mr. Bui Thanh Tu assessed that this direct flight is a very positive signal for the Mekong tourism market. The flight time is shortened to just over 1 hour, making the destination more accessible. This is also a flight route with great potential to develop cultural - resort tours and international tours in the region.

For travel agencies, reducing travel time helps reduce tour costs to Laos and makes products more competitive. Businesses can build many flexible tour packages, from 3-4 days to in-depth experience itineraries. In addition, direct flights help expand the customer base, especially families, the elderly and first-time international travelers.

This is also a favorable condition to develop international tours and implement communication campaigns to stimulate tourism between the two countries.

The appearance of additional low-cost airlines is expected to make the Vietnam - Laos aviation market more vibrant, creating pressure to reduce prices on current routes.

Vietnam Airlines Corporation also said it is considering studying new cooperation models and the possibility of expanding its flight network in Laos, in line with the growing market demand. The company also recommended that Lao authorities consider adjusting some infrastructure fees to increase the competitiveness of the destination, creating more favorable conditions for bilateral trade and tourism.

Comment (0)