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On August 2, information from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said that according to survey data on July 31 on airfares (excluding taxes and fees) for basic economy class on domestic routes with high traffic (such as Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi - Da Nang, Hanoi - Cam Ranh/Nha Trang and Hanoi - Phu Quoc) in the first half of August 2024, the average ticket prices offered by Vietnamese airlines fluctuated between 35 - 65% compared to the maximum level according to regulations.
Specifically, on the "golden route" Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City, the highest ticket price recorded by Vietnam Airlines is about 2.2 million VND/way, equivalent to 65% of the maximum price of 3.4 million VND (with flight time after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2 - right before the weekend). On other days and departure times, the ticket prices are much lower, the lowest is Vietravel Airlines offering a series of tickets at nearly 750,000 VND/way, equivalent to 26% of the maximum price (from August 5 to August 15 with time slots before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.).
Also located on the North-South axis and with the participation of domestic airlines operating at a high rate is the Hanoi - Da Nang route. According to records, the highest price appearing on the days close to the survey date (August 1 and 2) of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air was about 1.6 million VND/way, or about 56% of the maximum price of 2.89 million VND (time frame 9:00 - 17:00). For departure dates further away, the ticket prices of all airlines have decreased significantly, many days have ticket prices of about 25% of the maximum; especially Vietravel Airline has a series of ticket prices from only nearly 300 thousand VND/way, or 12% of the maximum (departing after 17:00 on days from August 5 - 13).
Another domestic route that receives great attention during the summer and tourism activities is the Hanoi - Cam Ranh (Nha Trang) route, the highest ticket price appearing on the weekend of August 3 was nearly 2.5 million VND/way (72% of the maximum of 3.4 million VND) offered by Vietnam Airlines in the time frame of 9:00 - 17:00. With this route, Vietjet Air is offering the lowest average ticket price in many flight days of the survey period, only from 25% of the maximum.
The Hanoi - Da Lat route is the route with the recorded price remaining stable for most days of the survey period. For the adjacent departure date (August 2), Vietnam Airlines appeared with a price of about 2.9 million VND/way for the daytime time slot, equivalent to 80% of the maximum of 3.4 million VND; while for other days in the entire period, the price fluctuated between 30 - 40% of the maximum. For Vietjet Air, the price throughout the period was significantly lower than the maximum, only from 800 thousand to 1.1 million VND, equivalent to 24 - 30% of the maximum. Bamboo Airways is also operating this route, with the price throughout the period fluctuating between 25 - 50% of the maximum.
With the longest domestic tourist route in Vietnam, Hanoi - Phu Quoc, currently operated by two airlines, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, the maximum price for transportation services according to regulations is 4.0 million VND. According to the record, the highest price of Vietnam Airlines is 3.05 million VND, equivalent to 76% of the maximum (departing on the morning of August 8); with other flight days during this period, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are offering tickets at 30 - 50% of the maximum. In particular, with early or late departure times on further departure days, Vietnam Airlines has prices from only 27% of the maximum (August 13 - 14), and Vietjet Air only from 20% of the maximum (August 6 - 15).
In general, ticket prices are correlated with flight departure times during the day. During the daytime, especially from 9am to 12pm every day, the average ticket prices announced by airlines will be higher than the remaining time frames (early morning or late afternoon).
This is understandable and consistent with the priorities and needs of passengers who choose daytime flights, especially tourists, for convenience in booking accommodation and making travel plans.
However, currently, some localities (such as Ho Chi Minh City) and travel companies have programs to support accommodation for passengers when choosing to fly at night. This not only helps passengers have more options, helping to reduce costs for the entire trip, but also contributes to reducing transportation pressure for airlines during the daytime.
Through analysis of survey data on economy class airfares on domestic flights from August 1 to 15, it can be seen that airlines are still offering tickets at relatively low prices compared to the maximum level as prescribed.
The trend of higher ticket prices when booking close to departure dates and lower prices when booking far away is inevitable and can happen at any time of the year. Therefore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam always recommends that passengers when choosing air transportation services should have a travel plan and book tickets early through official ticket sales channels, in order to be able to choose the most suitable ticket prices.
In addition, during the current period, passengers can also consider arranging their plans, time and personal conditions to choose to travel early or in the evening/night, thereby also having more experiences with flight services with domestic airlines.
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