Hanoi (VNA) – Transport operators across Vietnam have prepared plans to increase capacity and services to meet surging travel demand during the Lunar New Year (Tet) peak, as tickets on many key routes are already sold out.
Surveys of airlines and interprovincial coach operators show that despite added trips and expanded capacity, most services are fully booked on peak days close to Tet and the post-holiday return period.
Authorities have issued directives requiring transport agencies to ensure smooth operations, maintain order and safety, and minimise congestion and traffic accidents during Tet and the spring festival season.
Since early February, major bus terminals in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang have been operating at high intensity to handle the first wave of passengers, mainly students and freelance workers returning home early. The second and larger peak is expected from February 14–15 through the night of February 16 (the 29th day of the last lunar month), when office workers and employees begin their holiday.
Most passengers have booked tickets in advance, particularly from Hanoi to central localities such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Hue and Da Nang. Some routes, including those to Dien Bien and Son La, have sold out on peak days despite additional services. Short-distance routes have also seen sharp increases in bookings.
Hanoi Transport Station Joint Stock Company said current vehicle utilisation is at 40–50% capacity, indicating that supply can still meet demand. Bus stations have been instructed to arrange staff for passenger support, increase ticket counters on busy routes, and strictly inspect vehicle safety and driver qualifications.
For rail transport, the Tet service period runs from February 3 to March 8. Vietnam Railways has arranged 62 trains with 791 passenger carriages, offering about 384,000 seats, up 7% year-on-year.
Additional regional trains between February 14 and 22 will provide around 7,300 more seats. Ticket sales had reached 402,000 by February 10, with 68% purchased online. Tet fares are 5–10% higher on average due to rising input costs and carriage upgrades.
Airlines are also increasing capacity significantly. Vietnam Airlines offers more than 3.5 million seats from February 2 to March 3, nearly 20% higher than last year, along with an additional 60,000 seats on high-demand routes. The group plans to operate over 1,300 overnight flights during the period.
Vietjet has released 2.5 million tickets and added nearly 390,000 seats through about 1,800 extra flights.
At Hanoi-based Noi Bai International Airport, expanded Terminal T2 and contactless technologies are expected to ease congestion and handle over 50,000 international passengers daily. Passenger numbers are forecast to rise by double digits, with a pre-Tet peak of more than 116,000 travellers on February 14.
Meanwhile, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City expects around 940 flights per day during the peak period, up 25%, serving an average of 145,000 passengers daily.
Airports nationwide will mobilise maximum resources and coordinate closely with airlines and ground service providers to ensure safe, smooth journeys for travellers during the country’s busiest travel season./.
