While Vietnam still remains closed for international travel, its domestic market is rapidly accelerating the return to full local air  service.

Domestic flights have been re-opened since 22 April, when Vietnam lifted a lockdown order. From 7 May, in turn, the limitations on the number of flights between Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang City were eased and passengers are no longer required to sit one seat away from each other.

Currently, a total of five commercial airlines are providing services: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet Air, Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) and Bamboo Airways.

For example, Vietnam Airlines Group, including Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and VASCO, are working on the “recovery of their entire domestic network beginning June 2020”.

Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet is also getting ready for its full domestic re-launch. “After days of joining hands to fight the epidemic, now is the time to return to the sky”, thus VietJet aims to fly on all 45 routes across the country.

The budget carrier revealed that after easing social distancing restrictions on flights there have been some positive indications as to the reviving demand and growing seating capacity.

These promising signs have been also confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), which said that with loosening of social distancing restrictions, airlines are carrying even 39,000 passengers per day (this equals to 38% of the daily average in 2019).

On the stimulation of the domestic travel along with Vietnamese carriers are also working local tour companies, which are lowering prices to attract customers back.

“The packages include preferential airfares and resort vouchers that aim to boost passenger numbers during the summer season, usually a peak time for domestic tourism”, reports VnExpress, the Vietnamese news media.

In terms of international flights, these are expected to begin gradually resuming since 1 June, 2020.