Vietnam Airlines to operate more than 1,300 night flights during Tet holiday

Vietnam Airlines will operate over 1,300 night flights from February 1 to March 3 to accommodate nearly 300,000 passengers during the Lunar New Year. The schedule includes 3% more night flights compared to last year, focusing on high-demand routes. An additional 300 flights will be added, expanding ticket availability.

Vietnam Airlines plans to operate more than 1,300 night flights from February 1 to March 3, providing nearly 300,000 seats to meet surging travel demand during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

The expanded night-time schedule reflects the aviation sector’s efforts to optimise operations during the peak season. Compared with the previous Tet period, the number of night flights for Tet 2026 has increased by 3%, accounting for approximately 16.6% of Vietnam Airlines’ total flights.

Night services, operating between 21:00 and 05:00, will focus on high-demand domestic routes such as Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang; Ho Chi Minh City-Hai Phong, Vinh and Tho Xuan; Ho Chi Minh City-Hue and Cam Ranh; and Ho Chi Minh City-Buon Ma Thuot. Most flights will be operated using Airbus A321 and A320neo aircraft.

During the peak period, flight frequencies on each route are expected to increase by an average of one to two additional daily return services, offering greater flexibility for passengers while easing congestion during daytime hours.

According to Nguyen Quang Trung, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, expanding night operations is a key measure to meet peak-season demand and relieve pressure on the aviation system amid infrastructure and slot constraints at major airports.

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam requested relevant agencies to coordinate night flight operations at six airports, Tho Xuan, Dong Hoi, Chu Lai, Phu Cat, Pleiku and Tuy Hoa, from February 1 to March 1. Operating hours at these airports have been extended to increase night-time capacity while maintaining safety and efficiency.

To further support Tet travel demand, Vietnam Airlines has launched early ticket sales, offering more than 3.5 million seats across domestic and international routes from February 2 to March 3, nearly 20% higher than last year.

The carrier will also add nearly 300 flights, providing an additional 60,000 seats between February 9 and March 3. These services will mainly depart from Ho Chi Minh City to key destinations, 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, four new routes from Hai Phong to Nha Trang, Can Tho, Buon Ma Thuot and Phu Quoc will be introduced, helping to diversify travel options and ease pressure on major routes during the Lunar New Year peak.