Cheap flights to Vietnam

The tourism industry is relatively new in Vietnam, but it’s not hard to see why people book flights to Vietnam. Rated one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Vietnam also maintains its status as one of the romantic countries thanks to its lush landscape. While some travelers book flights to Vietnam to experience the breadth of the culture and scenery, others travel to Vietnam for far more personal reasons. The country played a huge part in American history, and today many travelers book flights to Vietnam to retrace the steps of generations past. But when visiting Vietnam, it’s also important to respect the local culture and keep personal politics quiet during your trip. The Vietnamese kept their doors tightly shut to outsiders for many years and they are just starting to welcome foreigners back into their land. 

The first step in supporting the Vietnamese economy is booking a flight to Vietnam. From there, dine in local eateries, buy amenities (soap, water, toothpaste, sanitary items) from small family-owned shops and before buying souvenirs, make sure they are produced in Vietnam. As a tourist in Vietnam, your role is to appreciate the people and respect the culture. Do so, and the Vietnamese will continue to open their doors, and minds, to foreign travelers. 

Book a flight to Vietnam for an experience like no other.

How long is the flight to Vietnam?

Traveling to Vietnam from the United States isn’t just a quick jaunt down the street. In fact, the average flight from the United States to Vietnam takes 22h 43m. You’re definitely going to need to bring some in-flight entertainment with you. Depending on where you’re flying into in Vietnam, flights can vary drastically. The most common desitination is Ho Chi Minh City. The most common flight from the United States to Vietnam is Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City, which takes about 20h 5m.

Which cities offer direct flights to Vietnam?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the United States to Vietnam at this time. Save time and sometimes money with Vietnam flight deals on flights with one or more stops to Vietnam. Currently, you can find flights with just one stop from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), New York City (JFK), and Washington, DC (IAD).

What is the best way to travel around Vietnam?

The hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s major cities make it a tourist hub, and that means all these travelers need to get around! Fortunately, cities like Ho Chi Minh City have plenty of transportation options that vary from simple and fast to slower and slightly more dangerous. Vietnam boasts more than 1,600 miles of rails, ensuring that trains can take tourists from the big cities to smaller hubs quickly and efficiently. There are various classes of trains, and as with many things, you get what you pay for. The higher class trains cost more, but offer more comfort and features like air-conditioning. Open tour buses are also a great option for getting around and can help you save money if you have a larger group.

What are some things to do in Vietnam?

There are lots of things to see and do in Vietnam, depending on where you travel to in the country. Ho Chi Minh City is the most traveled to city there, and for good reason. This bustling metropolis is a tourist’s dream, with everything from cultural sites to beautiful beaches. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Mausoleum Complex is a must-see spot, as well as Giac Lam Pagoda, the oldest temple in the city. Enjoy a Bonsai River Cruise, and don’t forget to visit Pham Ngu Lao Street for plenty of nightlife. In Hanoi, visitors one popular spot is the Hanoi Old Quarter, which boasts bars, vendors, and lots and lots of street food. Beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake is another must visit area in Hanoi.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Vietnam?

Travelers taking a trip to Vietnam from the United States will need not only a valid US passport, but also a valid visa. US passports must be in good standing and valid for at least six months past the travel date. Prior to traveling to Vietnam, US citizens must apply for and receive either a tourist visa or a business visa, depending on their reason for traveling. Visas can be applied for at the US Embassy.

Vietnam climate

Northern Vietnam and southern Vietnam have two very different climates. November through April is cool and dry in the north, while the rest of the year is hot and rainy. It’s not much different on the central coast north of Nha Trang, where the winter monsoon brings wet, cool weather from December to February. In contrast, it’s hot and humid all year in the south. The central highlands aren’t much different, but winters are cooler with temperatures close to freezing. 

Best Time to Fly to Vietnam

Peak season:

Vietnam has a varied climate and there is no bad time to book flights to Vietnam, unless humidity is a turn-off. In the north of the country the winter months take in November to April, when the weather is cool and wet. The summer months are May to October; weather is hot with heavy rains.

In the south, Vietnam experiences a dry, hot season between December and April and a wet season between May and November. It is most humid between March and May.

In the center of Vietnam, there are often very heavy rains between December and February.

Off Season:

Christmas is a family-centric time in Vietnam as is Tet (Lunar New Year) around February.

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Getting around Vietnam

Vietnam Airlines offers a good domestic network of Vietnam flights, linking Ho Chi Minh City with several destinations including Buon Me Thuat, Da Nang, Dien Bien, Da Lat, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hue, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Rach Gia.

Pacific Airlines also offers domestic Vietnam flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and Danang.

Vietnam Railways operates the rail network in Vietnam. The main line runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, taking in Danang, Hue and Nha Trang. The journey takes about two days.

Bus services are popular and cheap, but can be slow and overcrowded. The best way of getting around the country (between popular destinations) is by tourist open-tour bus. A journey between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City costs less than $30 (about 500,000 Vietnamese Dong).

The following chart gives approximate journey times from Hanoi (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Vietnam.

The following chart gives approximate journey times from Ho Chi Minh City (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Vietnam.

Vietnam Travel Information

• Hue was the capital of Vietnam between 1744 and 1945, when the last emperor abdicated. Located on the northern bank of the beautifully named Perfume River, the Imperial Citadel (Thanh Noi) has ten entrances; each gate has a watchtower on top. There are three ramparts: Capital Citadel, Imperial and Forbidden Citadel. Sadly, much of the interior of the citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968. The Forbidden Purple City was mostly razed, but there are some smaller buildings still standing and restoration work is ongoing.
• Drive, cycle or hike the more than 745 miles of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which extends from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City along battlefields such as Khe Sanh; Ben Hai Bridge; Truong Son National Cemetery (Vietnam’s national war cemetery); and Dak Rong Bridge, the start of Highway 15, leading south to “Hamburger Hill”.
• Vietnam’s best known national parks are Cuc Phuong (established in 1962); Cat Ba on Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay; and Con Dao National Park on Con Dao Island.
• Halong Bay: Halong means “where the dragon descends to the sea” in Vietnamese. The bay is composed of nearly 2,000 limestone islands and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Several of the islands are hollow, ie, caves, and two are inhabited – Tuan Chau and Cat Ba – and offer tourist facilities such as hotels, golf course and fishing club.
• Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam’s largest city, business center and major port, and a must see spot for travelers booking flights to Vietnam. It was also the capital of the French protectorate of Cochinchina. The French left their mark: wide boulevards, colonial villas, café society and cuisine. Some of the must-sees are the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee (Town Hall), Notre Dame Cathedral; bustling Ben Thanh Market (for souvenirs); Quoc Tu Pagoda; Xa-loi Pagoda; War Remnants Museum and nearby Reunification Palace, complete with NVA tank outside.

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Vietnam airports overview

How long is the flight to Cat Bi International Airport?

Flights to Cat Bi International Airport, near Hai Phong in Vietnam, from the United States range from about 24h-37h. Your precise flight time will depend on several factors, notably your departure city and your airline. If you’re departing from the east coast, such as out of New York or Washington, D.C. airports, your flight time will longer than those out of the west coast, since your flight track will take you through Europe and the Middle East before alighting in Vietnam. This is the same route those flying out of Chicago will follow. If you’re departing from the west coast, your flight will likely be on the shorter end of the spectrum, with layovers occurring mainly in East Asian cities.

Where can you get direct flights to Cat Bi International Airport from?

There are no direct flights to Cat Bi International Airport from the United States. In fact, you will typically experience two stopovers when flying out of a major U.S. city. If you’re looking to book as short of a flight as possible, be sure to depart out of your nearest major airport and look for flights serviced by airlines that regularly fly into Cat Bi, such as Vietnam Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Air China. You can expect to make stopovers in cities like Doha, Shanghai, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City, depending on your airline.

How do you get from Cat Bi International Airport to the city center?

Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) is located in northeastern Vietnam, about 4 miles southeast of Hai Phong city. To reach downtown Haiphong from the airport, you can book a private airport pickup service, which will cost about $16 for up to four guests and take about 20-30 minutes. You can also book a chauffeured limousine service for about $45 for up to four passengers. For less than $3, you can take a regular airport taxi, or for about $2 a motorcycle taxi, although this can be complicated if you’re traveling with a lot of baggage.

What are some things to do in Hai Phong, near Cat Bi International?

Hai Phong is one of Vietnam’s largest cities and one steeped in history, culture, and unique attractions. While here, visit Cat Ba National Park in Halong Bay to experience acre after acre of lush greenery in this biosphere reserve space. Head to Do Son Beach to take in its three amazing beaches as well as the country’s only casino. Feel at peace at Du Hang Buddhist Temple, complete with a bonsai garden, awe-inspiring pagoda, bell tower, and intricate carvings and statues as far as the eye can see.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Hai Phong / Cat Bi International Airport?

United States citizens traveling to Cat Bi International Airport, Vietnam need a passport with at least six months of validity remaining from the date of entry. A visa is also required for business and tourism visitors, so be sure to apply for it before your trip so you can pick it up at the airport and be on your way.

How long is the flight to Cam Ranh International Airport?

Flights to Cam Ranh International Airport, Vietnam from the United States range from about 24h-42h. The length of your flight will depend on your departure city and the number and length of your layovers. If you’re departing from a major international airport within the States, such as New York’s JFK, Los Angeles’ LAX, or Chicago’s O’Hare airports, you’re likely to have the shortest flights due to limited stopovers.

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

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Cam Ranh International Airport from any airport in the United States. Departing from your nearest international airport will likely reduce the number of stopovers you make, however. Airports in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago offer one-stop flights to Cam Ranh International Airport, since they service the airlines that regularly fly there, like Vietnam Airlines, China Southern, Korean Air, and Qatar Airways. You can expect to make stopovers in popular layover cities for this route like Boston, Beijing, Seoul, and Ho Chi Minh City.

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

Those flying into Cam Ranh International Airport are most likely to be staying in Nha Trang, a popular city 22 miles north of the airport. To reach downtown Nha Trang from the airport, you can take a public bus to the city. Look for a sign at the airport that says “Dat Moi” and you can purchase your tickets there. It will take about and hour and cost you about $2 one way per person. You can also opt to take a taxi from the airport directly to your accommodations in Nha Trang. It would take about 45 minutes and cost around $9.50.

What are some things to do in Nha Trang, near Cam Ranh International Airport?

Cam Ranh International’s nearest city, Nha Trang, is where you’ll likely be staying when flying into the area. It’s a city with vast sunny beaches, and a distinct cultural and historical identity, so there’s plenty to do and see here for visitors of all ages and interests. Enjoy a sense of tranquility at Long Son Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist temple nestled in the foothills of Tray Thui Mountain. 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 vacation. Stroll along sunny Tran Phu Beach and its parallel street, where you can enjoy delicious meals at local restaurants, fun bars, and stores worth perusing after a relaxed day on the beach’s white sands.

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

United States citizens traveling to Cam Ranh International Airport, Vietnam need a passport with six months validity remaining from the start date of your arrival. You will also need to apply for either a business or tourist visa before your arrival.