No longer is Vietnam Southeast Asia’s tourism secret. The bustling city of Hanoi boasts some of the highest-rated resorts in that part of the world. Tranquil beaches with sky-blue water await guests who have myriad options for water adventures. And the food — a unique blend of multicultural cuisine is as good as anywhere in the world. The energy and the vibe from the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) to the idyllic countryside along the Mekong Delta to the pure white-sand beaches of Danang, the Vietnamese tourism industry is bursting at the seams.
But first, you have to get to Vietnam. Both Skyscanner.com and Vietnamairline.travel takes the hard work out of looking and comparing flights to Vietnam from just about anywhere in the world. No fewer than 20 airlines fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Finding the best flight at the right price could take hours. These websites are fast and easy to use. While many international carriers fly in and out of Vietnam, there are only a handful of Southeast Asia carriers that fly regularly to the island nation. And most of these flights make Hong Kong a stop.
The following is a close look at some these airlines, plus another that hopes find a niche in the Vietnamese market. Choosing the right airline for your travel needs is based on availability and price point.
Air Asia
Daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi make Air Asia one of the leading Asian air carriers into and out Vietnam. Air Asia offers direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Bangkok and connecting flights from Australia. More than 20 flights a day are scheduled for Ho Chi Minh City while a handful of daily flights to Hanoi are offered.
What makes Air Asia one of the most attractive options is its low-fare policy. Since its inception in 2001, Air Asia has been committed to targeting flyers who would rather do without the frills in exchange for lower fares. It’s motto is: Now Everyone Can Fly.
Cathay Air
Cathay Air has been flying since 1946. Despite headquarters in Hong Kong, this airline has strong links to global hubs including Los Angeles and New York, making travel to Southeast Asia easy and affordable for tourists from the United States. Cathay Air has been recognized for exceeding industry standards for innovations in air travel. Twice it has received the coveted “Airline of the Year Award.” Today with 150 aircraft, Cathay Air is well equipped to handle the influx of travelers from all over the world to Vietnam.
DragonAir
The first flight for DragonAir took off in 1985. Some30 years later, DragonAir has become part of the Cathay Air family. In June 2013, just a few months after DragonAir started service to Hanoi, the airline received the prestigious “World’s Best Regional Airline Award.” DragonAir currently operates 40 aircraft, all Airbuses. These planes have the range and comfort to get tourists where they want to go in Vietnam, and when those tourists want to go.
Hong Kong Airlines
Hanoi is one of the main routes Hong Kong Airlines flies in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong Airlines recognizes the growing popularity and attractions Vietnam has to offer. As a result, the carrier offers a number of special promotions from Hong Kong to Hanoi.
Singapore Airlines
This well-known and popular choice of many when heading to Southeast Asia carries on the tradition of outstanding service to its passengers. It has consistently been awarded for service excellence. Tourists heading to Hanoi on Singapore Airlines can be assured of receiving a high-standard level of service that the airline has been recognized for.
VietJet
Vietnam is poised to be a player in the fastest growing market for international and domestic travel in the world, according to a report released in 2013 by the International Air Transport Association. Vietnam’s aviation industry is expected to ramp up its flights to accommodate growth in tourism, pegged at 15 percent through 2014. Vietnam’s first private airline, VietJet is poised to start flying to other major cities in Asia and has eyes on adding Australia flights in 2015. The low-cost carrier has set its sights on the United States where 4 million people of Vietnamese heritage reside. VietJet official, Luu Duc Khanh, believes the U.S. market is one that will be profitable. VietJet, which is the new kid on the airline block in Vietnam — it’s not even 3 years old, is in negotiations with other carriers to shuttle tourists to and from Vietnam while at the same time it plans to doubl its fleet by 2015.
