Ticket prices increase, "disturbed" travel plans
Domestic airfares have fluctuated significantly recently, causing many passengers to adjust their spending and travel plans.
Ms. Dao Thi Huong Giang (23 years old, Hanoi) said that in less than two weeks, round-trip airfares have increased sharply. At the beginning of March, the promotional ticket price was only about 1.3 million VND/person/trip, but by mid-month it had increased to about 3.8 million VND/person/trip for the route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
Initially, our group planned to travel to Vung Tau beach and spend 1-2 days in Ho Chi Minh City. At that time, airfare costs only accounted for about 20% of the total trip. However, when ticket prices increased sharply, this cost increased by about 60%, making the plan no longer suitable" - Ms. Giang shared.
To optimize costs, Ms. Giang and her friends agreed to cut other expenses and switch to using public transport such as buses instead of technology cars in the inner city.
Similarly, Ms. Chu Thi Thom (Tay Mo ward, Hanoi) agreed to cancel a trip with her family after the ticket price for the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City route increased from 2 million VND to more than 5 million VND/person/trip.
Even though it is not yet summer peak season, ticket prices are already very high. I usually avoid going on holidays, but during this time, checking every day, I don't see cheaper tickets, so I have to stop the plan" - Ms. Thom said.
Young people switch to other means of transport
Not only tourists, but many young people who need to travel to attend music events are also affected by the increase in airfares.
Ms. Minh Ngoc - a fan who plans to "go to concerts" at the end of April - said that she has checked ticket prices many times but has been hesitant to book. From 1.6 million VND/one way in November, ticket prices increased to 2.2 million VND at the beginning of March and have now reached nearly 5 million VND.
The price has increased, so I only booked the direction from Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi to participate in the concert at the end of April. On the way back, I switched to taking the train, even choosing seated tickets to save costs" - Ms. Ngoc said.
Surveys show that the standard economy class airfare of Vietnam Airlines for the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City route, departing in mid-April, ranges from 5.3 - 8.7 million VND/person/round trip.
Tourist routes such as Hanoi - Nha Trang are at 7.7 - 9.1 million VND/person/trip, flights from Hanoi - Phu Quoc from 5.4 - 9.6 million VND/person/trip.
Meanwhile, Vietjet Air also recorded relatively high prices, with the route from Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City about 5.4 million VND/person/trip; Hanoi - Nha Trang from 4.6 - 4.8 million VND/person/trip; Hanoi - Phu Quoc about 5.5 - 5.8 million VND/person/trip.
