Vietnam Domestic Airlines Guide: 5 Local Carriers to Know

Vietnam Domestic Airlines Guide

When traveling across Vietnam—a country that is surprisingly vast—taking domestic flights is often the most practical option. Since overland transport infrastructure is still developing, long-distance journeys by train or bus can be incredibly exhausting and time-consuming.

Just as many countries have regional airports, Vietnam has an extensive network of airports relative to its economic scale, offering numerous domestic routes connecting major cities and remote provinces alike.

However, domestic flights in Vietnam do not always display reliably on global flight search engines like Skyscanner.

As a result, booking directly through the airline’s official website is often the best approach. In this guide, we introduce the five major domestic airlines currently operating in Vietnam to help you plan your journey.

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines is the country’s national flag carrier, established in 1956. As a full-service, state-owned airline, it holds the highest prestige in the country, comparable to other major international flag carriers, though onboard service and amenities may feel slightly more dated than premium global brands.

Nonetheless, for domestic flights within Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines remains by far the most reliable choice. The most compelling reason to fly with them is their exceptionally low rate of delays and cancellations compared to budget carriers. If the price difference between Vietnam Airlines and a low-cost carrier is minimal, you should always choose Vietnam Airlines.

• Domestic Destinations Covered (22 locations): Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Ca Mau, Can Tho, Con Dao, Da Lat, Dong Hoi, Dien Bien Phu, Chu Lai (Tam Ky), Tuy Hoa, Rach Gia, Van Don, Buon Ma Thuot, Vinh, Quy Nhon, Thanh Hoa, Pleiku, Hai Phong, and Hue.

VietJet Air

VietJet Air is Vietnam’s most prominent low-cost carrier, though it has earned a reputation for being somewhat controversial. It frequently makes international headlines for marketing stunts, such as hosting promotional bikini-clad flight attendant events in its early days.

Established in 2007, VietJet Air operates similarly to other regional low-cost carriers. While it initially focused almost entirely on domestic flights within Vietnam, it has significantly expanded its network to include international destinations across Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and beyond.

VietJet operates the second-largest domestic network after Vietnam Airlines. While they offer incredibly cheap base fares, they are notorious for scheduling disruptions. If you book with VietJet, it is highly recommended to plan your travel itinerary with generous time buffers to accommodate potential delays or cancellations.

• Related Article: Read our honest, in-depth review of VietJet Air

• Domestic Destinations Covered (19 locations): Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Buon Ma Thuot, Can Tho, Chu Lai, Da Lat, Da Nang, Dong Hoi, Hai Phong, Hue, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Pleiku, Quy Nhon, Thanh Hoa, Tuy Hoa, Van Don, Vinh, and Dien Bien Phu.

Pacific Airlines

Pacific Airlines is a low-cost subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines. Formerly known as Jetstar Pacific, it was rebranded back to Pacific Airlines. When booking flights on the Vietnam Airlines website, you may encounter flights labeled as ‘operated by Pacific Airlines’. If you book one of these flights, you will fly on Pacific Airlines.

The aircraft cabins can sometimes feel more run-down than VietJet’s, but Pacific Airlines tends to have surprisingly fewer delays. Since most domestic flights in Vietnam take less than two hours, it remains a reasonable budget option. However, their official website is notoriously buggy and often offline. It is best to book their flights through the Vietnam Airlines website by selecting flights marked as ‘operated by Pacific Airlines’. Note that even if you book through Vietnam Airlines, you must still check in at the Pacific Airlines counter at the airport.

Bamboo Airways

Bamboo Airways originally started as a hybrid carrier, offering a slightly more premium experience than typical low-cost airlines. Historically, Bamboo Airways has operated a mix of modern jet aircraft on major routes and regional turboprops on smaller routes. However, they have scaled down their operations significantly. Due to these rapid changes, it is important to verify the aircraft type and schedule reliability before booking.

• Domestic Destinations Covered (10 locations): Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, and Da Lat.

Warning: Bamboo Airways has been struggling with severe financial distress and major corporate restructuring. Due to ongoing reports of potential bankruptcy, fleet reductions, and sudden route cancellations, it is highly recommended that travelers avoid booking flights with Bamboo Airways for the foreseeable future.

Vietravel Airlines

Vietravel Airlines is a relatively new low-cost carrier, established in 2019 by Vietravel, a major Vietnamese travel agency. Using Da Nang International Airport as its hub, it operates a small number of domestic routes alongside international flights to Bangkok and Macau. Their flight schedule is extremely limited—even the highly-trafficked Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City route is only operated twice a day. Since their ticket prices and baggage allowances are not particularly competitive compared to VietJet, they are best kept as a last resort.

• Domestic Destinations Covered (7 locations): Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Quy Nhon.