Weekend travel surge pushes airfares higher
DNO - Summer 2025 sees a surge in domestic travel across Vietnam, with coastal cities like Da Nang drawing weekend crowds and flight bookings spiking from Friday to Sunday.
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This trend is largely driven by young travellers, office workers and families who can only take short weekend breaks.
Offering a range of entertainment options, the central coastal city of Da Nang has become a go-to getaway.
The shift toward weekend travel is driven by several factors, most notably the pressures of work and study, which prevent many people from taking extended vacations, prompting them to opt for shorter 2- to 3-day getaways instead.
Key weekend attractions such as the recent Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2025, cultural shows and musical performances at Ba Na Hills are fueling demand.
However, the spike in travel has outpaced the current airline capacity, particularly on peak weekend days, leading to a sharp rise in airfares.
A recent survey showed that domestic round-trip fares for peak weekends in July and August have increased noticeably. For example, Vietnam Airlines’ Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang route is priced between VND 2.1 - 2.4 million depending on the departure time. On weekdays, the same route costs only VND 1.5 -1.8 million, as reported by major online ticketing platforms.
Similar trends are seen on routes connecting Da Nang with Ha Noi and Hai Phong in the north. On average, prices have jumped by 15 - 25% compared to early May.
Airlines are responding differently: Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways have maintained high but stable pricing, while Vietjet Air and Vietravel Airlines are offering flexible promotions.
The airfare hikes are not only affecting travelers but also impacting hotel bookings, with weekend occupancy reaching 90 - 100% at beachfront properties, versus only 40–60% midweek.
This shift reflects a broader trend toward short, high-demand weekend trips, driven by tight work schedules and enticing promotional combos.