Domestic Vietnam Flights - when to book ?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 406
Domestic Vietnam Flights - when to book ?
I'm just under 2 months away from flying Vietnam domestically (Ho Chi Minh - Phu Qouc, Phu Quoc - Hai Phong, Hanoi - Danang, Danang - Ho Chi Minh) - I've been tracking flight prices and they really haven't changed, when is the sweet spot to book ?
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA EXP 6MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 265
Personally, I never win at the price waiting game. For my trips, it seems like the price usually go up as I get closer to the departure date.
I just pay the price if it is reasonable to me.
I checked a mid-week in June for one-way for SGN-PQC, HAN-DAD, DAD-SGN on Vietnam Airlines website. The coach ticket prices I saw for each of these segments range from 58 USD to 72 USD. The trip duration is between 1 hour to 1.5 hour. For me, in these cases, the price is certainly reasonable and I will buy them now.
I always stick with Vietnam Airlines by the way. I do not have any experiences with the other local airlines but I prefer to stay with VNA.
I just pay the price if it is reasonable to me.
I checked a mid-week in June for one-way for SGN-PQC, HAN-DAD, DAD-SGN on Vietnam Airlines website. The coach ticket prices I saw for each of these segments range from 58 USD to 72 USD. The trip duration is between 1 hour to 1.5 hour. For me, in these cases, the price is certainly reasonable and I will buy them now.
I always stick with Vietnam Airlines by the way. I do not have any experiences with the other local airlines but I prefer to stay with VNA.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,892
Writing this from Hue, overlooking Perfume River.
If it is just two month left, than prices unlike to go down and most likely will go up, based on my experiences with intra-Vietnam flights.
For cheap flighs with VN one should book flights at least 6 month before departure if you want to catch their Eco fares. The same applies for VietJet. You can sign up for their fare newsletter to know when is time to book.
Alternatively/in addition you can setup fare search at Skyscanner with target prices but, unlikely you get great deal right now two month before departure.
Three words of advice:
1. If you have connecting flights with separate tickets make sure you have at least 4h between flights. Not a single time my intra-Vietnam flights departed on the time shown when I booked them. Even with VN within 2 month of departure time flight moved three times forward and back. At least VN notifies you via email, Jetstar and VietJet - do not, unless you sign up for paid notification service (not a joke).
2. Avoid booking the very first and last flights - they are cancelled most often.
3. Check traffic conditions on the date/time of the departure - in Saigon it might take 45min to travel 5km via car.
If it is just two month left, than prices unlike to go down and most likely will go up, based on my experiences with intra-Vietnam flights.
For cheap flighs with VN one should book flights at least 6 month before departure if you want to catch their Eco fares. The same applies for VietJet. You can sign up for their fare newsletter to know when is time to book.
Alternatively/in addition you can setup fare search at Skyscanner with target prices but, unlikely you get great deal right now two month before departure.
Three words of advice:
1. If you have connecting flights with separate tickets make sure you have at least 4h between flights. Not a single time my intra-Vietnam flights departed on the time shown when I booked them. Even with VN within 2 month of departure time flight moved three times forward and back. At least VN notifies you via email, Jetstar and VietJet - do not, unless you sign up for paid notification service (not a joke).
2. Avoid booking the very first and last flights - they are cancelled most often.
3. Check traffic conditions on the date/time of the departure - in Saigon it might take 45min to travel 5km via car.
Last edited by invisible; May 8, 2018 at 10:27 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,689
I took several flights to/within Vietnam last summer on VietJet. Yes, the flight times were constantly changing, and with each change, I was notified by email. But I never paid for any special notification service.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,892
Very latest example it with Jetstar which wants additional fee for sending SMS notifications. I remember seeing something similar with VietJet for international flights but can't be sure.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 246
My advice for flying in Vietnam is to stick with Vietnam Airlines. It may be a bit more expensive, but it is worth it unless you are so flexible you can handle your flight time being radically changed.
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
Imagine if you worked for that airline as a flight attendant or pilot. You would never know when you're supposed to go into work!
#15
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 246
I'm just guessing, but I would imagine that they do not have dummy flights. They just didn't sell enough seats to make that flight profitable, so they cancel it and move everybody to the next day. That way the plane has more passengers and they can turn a profit.
Imagine if you worked for that airline as a flight attendant or pilot. You would never know when you're supposed to go into work!
Imagine if you worked for that airline as a flight attendant or pilot. You would never know when you're supposed to go into work!