Cheap flights to Vietnam

Peak season

There’s no bad time to take cheap flights to Vietnam, indeed this fascinating country is a sought after Asian holiday destination by Australians all year round. Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh in the south are the largest tourist cities, but due to their geographical distance experience different weather patterns. In general, November through April is the cold season in Vietnam and May through October the hot season. A couple of peak periods to note are the Christmas holidays, Tet Holiday (aka Vietnamese New Year), celebrated in late January to early-mid February. July and August are the busiest months for tourism, when the hot and humid weather causes locals to leave the cities and accommodation prices rise up to 50% along the coast. For reasonably priced flights to Vietnam during July and August book well in advance.

Off Season

April to June and September to November are considered low season in Vietnam and the best time to book flight tickets if you want to tour the whole country. Be aware that typhoons often strike the central and northern coastline until November.

How long is the flight to Vietnam?

Flights From Sydney to Vietnam – 8 hrs 30 mins
Flights From Melbourne to Vietnam – 8 hrs 15 mins
Flights From Perth to Vietnam – 8 hrs 30 mins

Which airlines operate flights to Vietnam?

Jetstar is a popular low-cost airline operating flights to Vietnam cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, as well as other destinations in Vietnam. National carrier Vietnam Airlines also offers good deals on cheap flights to Vietnam from Australia if you can grab the earlybird specials. Other airlines that fly to Vietnam from Australia are Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, China Southern, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas and Virgin Australia. In general the cheapest flights to Vietnam will fly into Ho Chi Minh City as it services more airlines.

How to get from the airport to the city centre?

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) located in the south of Vietnam is the country’s largest airport and services Ho Chi Minh City. It is approximately 6 km from the city centre. The most convenient method of getting to your hotel is to take a taxi, located on the left side of the arrivals hall. Public bus is the cheapest option with services running every 20 minutes from 6am to 6pm. Those travelling to the north of Vietnam will land at N?i Bài International Airport (HAN), 27 kms from downtown Hanoi, and have the option of minibuses, public taxis and buses upon arrival for getting into the city.

What is good to know if travelling to Vietnam?

Things to do and see in Vietnam

• Hoi An, south of Da Nang, has a UNESCO-listed Old Town. It’s also the place to go to have a new outfit made to measure. The thing to remember is that you get what you pay for. Give the tailors as much time as you possibly can and you may need to have alterations made too. 
• Sa Pa (or Sapa), about 400km north of Hanoi, was once a French hill station and is a wonderful place to see the different minority groups of Vietnam, especially at local markets. The Hmong Leng are the most numerous of the minority groups in Sa Pa. Their costume is a black and brightly embroidered dress. The Dao group usually wear red, either a headdress or a red piece of clothing. At Bac Ha, there’s a market on Sundays. Here, you will be able to see the Flowery H’mong ethnic minority people as they buy and sell and go about their business. The dress of the Flowery H’mong people is eye-catchingly bright, blocks of colour interspersed with stripes and patterns. Rainbows are less bright than the costume of the Flowery H’mong people. 
• In the South China Sea, the Con Dao Islands have some amazing spots for swimming and snorkelling. They’re tipped to become the biggest diving centre for Vietnam. 
• Vietnam’s coastline is 3,260km long. Some of the more famous national parks located throughout the country include Ba Vi in Ha Tay, Cat Ba in Haiphong, Cuc Phuong in Ninh Binh, Bach Ma in Hue, and Cat Tien in Dong Nai. 
• The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City is a necessary, if sobering, place to spend a couple of hours. There’s a fair amount of American military equipment scattered about the grounds – a helicopter, a “Daisy Cutter” bomb, a tank and an attack bomber to name just a few. There’s also a guillotine that was used to execute prisoners. The photographs are the most affecting exhibit – stark black-and-white images of war in their uncensored horror. 
• The Cu Chi tunnels are a couple of hours outside of Ho Chi Minh City. These tunnels are just a section of a Viet Cong network that once extended from the Cambodian border to the outskirts of the city.
• Finally, one of the most important things to know before you visit is how to cross the road in Vietnam.

Vietnam airport overview

How long is the flight to Cam Ranh International Airport?

Flights to Cam Ranh International Airport, Vietnam from Australia range from about 11h-25h. The length of your flight will depend on your departure city, as well as the number and length of any stopovers. If you’re departing from as far west as Perth, your flight is likely to be on the shorter end of the spectrum due to its geographical location, unlike when flying out of a city in eastern Australia. A lengthy layover or two en route to Cam Ranh International Airport will also add to your journey.

Where can you get direct flights to Cam Ranh International Airport from?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Cam Ranh International Airport from Australia. The airlines that fly into the airport regularly include Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, and AirAsia. If you’re departing from a city with an airport that services any of these airlines, you stand a better chance at a more direct flight. When you book a flight to Cam Ranh International Airport, you’ll notice that common stopover cities for this route include Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, and Saigon.

How do you get from Cam Ranh International Airport to the city centre?

The closest major city to Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) is Nha Trang, about 30km north of the airport. To reach Nha Trang, you can take the Dat Moi bus, which offers ticket service within the airport. It will take about one hour to reach Nha Trang and cost about A$13-18. Airport bus shuttles are also available, although these do not stop in the city centre but south of the city. This is a thriftier option, at about A$1.50-2 one way. Taxi ranks are outside the arrivals terminal and offer a fixed rate based on your destination. You can book a regular taxi for one or two passengers, or a larger taxi for families or groups, which will cost about A$22 and A$26, respectively.

What are some things to do in Cam Ranh International Airport?

Those flying into Cam Ranh International Airport will most likely be staying at Nha Trang and will have easy access to explore the surrounding areas. Nha Trang is a city with vast sunny beaches, unique culture and historical identity, and beautiful natural scenery, meaning there’s plenty to do and see here. Get to know the city and its locals by visiting Dam Market, which offers stall after stall of food, clothes, and souvenirs to commemorate your holiday. Enjoy a sense of tranquility at Long Son Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist temple nestled in the foothills of Tray Thui Mountain. Stroll along inviting Tran Phu Beach and its parallel street, where you can enjoy delicious meals at local restaurants, fun pubs, and stores worth perusing after a sun-soaked day on the beach’s white sands.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Cam Ranh International Airport?

Australian citizens travelling to Cam Ranh International Airport, Vietnam will need a passport with at least six months of validity remaining before your arrival date. A visa is also needed, which you can apply for and submit online before receiving an official Visa Stamp once you arrive at the airport.

How popular are flights to Vietnam this year?

Vietnam has seen a 237% increase in demand for flights to the city compared to last year.