Hanoi (VNA) – The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines plans to operate more than 1,300 night flights from February 1 to March 3, offering nearly 300,000 seats to meet surging travel demand during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.
The move comes as Vietnam’s aviation sector steps up efforts to optimise operations for the peak Tet period. Compared with the previous holiday season, the number of night flights scheduled for Tet 2026 is up 3%, accounting for about 16.6% of the carrier’s total flights.
Night services, departing after 21:00 and before 5:00, will focus on key domestic routes, including Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City–Da Nang; Ho Chi Minh City–Hai Phong/Vinh/Tho Xuan; Ho Chi Minh City–Hue/Cam Ranh; and Ho Chi Minh City–Buon Ma Thuot. Most of these services will be operated using Airbus A321 and A320neo aircraft.
During the peak period, flight frequencies on each route are expected to rise by an average of one to two additional daily return services compared with normal operations, offering passengers more travel options and easing pressure during daytime slots.
Nguyen Quang Trung, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, said boosting night-time operations is one of the key measures to meet peak-season demand while helping to relieve pressure on the aviation system, given infrastructure and slot constraints at several major airports.
“As the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines has proactively increased night flights on key routes to ensure safe, convenient travel and to meet the sharply rising demand during the 2026 Lunar New Year,” he said.
Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam requested relevant agencies to coordinate the operation of night flights at six airports from February 1 to March 1. These include Tho Xuan, Dong Hoi, Chu Lai, Phu Cat, Pleiku and Tuy Hoa, where operating hours have been extended to enhance night-time capacity while ensuring safe and efficient operations during the peak period.
To meet the Tet travel demand, Vietnam Airlines has kicked off early ticket sales, offering over 3.5 million seats across its domestic and international routes from February 2 to March 3. This represents a nearly 20% increase compared to last year.
The carrier is offering an additional 60,000 seats through nearly 300 flights, concentrated between February 9 and March 3. The extra services mainly depart from Ho Chi Minh City to provinces and cities, including Hanoi, Vinh, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, Hue, Chu Lai, Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, Tuy Hoa, Quy Nhon and Phu Quoc.
In addition, Vietnam Airlines is also offering four additional routes departing from Hai Phong to Nha Trang, Can Tho, Buon Ma Thuot, and Phu Quoc, helping to meet diverse travel needs while easing pressure on major routes during the Lunar New Year peak period./.
