Vietnam is a popular destination for Vietnamese students and families, education and community-development teams, and church groups. The country is long and thin, so the best season depends on whether you are heading north, central or south.
Vietnam at a glance
- Main international gateways: Tan Son Nhat (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City, and Noi Bai (HAN), Hanoi. Da Nang (DAD) also handles international flights.
- Busiest fare periods: December to January, Tet, and June to July.
- Often better-value periods: September to November, and March to April.
When to fly
Tet, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year, is the biggest event of the year. It falls between late January and mid-February, fares rise sharply, and many shops and services close for several days. The US winter and summer breaks are the other peaks.
Weather differs by region. Hanoi is cool and damp from December to February. Central Vietnam, around Da Nang and Hue, faces typhoon risk and heavy rain roughly from September to November. The south, around Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, has a dry season from about December to April and a wet season from about May to November, so teams working in the Delta usually prefer the dry months.
Routings and baggage
Vietnam Airlines has flown non-stop from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City. Other common routes connect via Taipei with EVA Air, Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, Seoul with Korean Air or Asiana, or Tokyo with ANA or Japan Airlines. Low-cost domestic carriers within Vietnam often have strict carry-on and checked-bag rules and charge for excess, so read the limits before booking the domestic leg.
Airports and getting around
Tan Son Nhat is crowded. Use the Grab app or a pre-booked car rather than accepting offers inside the terminal. Domestic flights link Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City quickly.
How to pay less on flights to Vietnam
- Plan around Tet. Fares rise sharply around Lunar New Year, between late January and mid-February, and again in December to January and June to July. September to November and March to April are often better value.
- Compare the non-stop with one-stop routes. Vietnam Airlines has flown non-stop from San Francisco, while connections through Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo are common and often competitive.
- Check baggage on the domestic leg. Low-cost domestic carriers often have strict limits and charge for excess, which can erase a saving on the main ticket.
- Match the region to the season. Dry and wet seasons differ between the north, centre and south, so the cheapest month is not always the right one for your project.
For the general method, see how we find cheap flights. Send us your dates and a specialist compares the options for this route.
Before you go
Check passport validity and Vietnam’s current visa process through the official government portal, since most travelers need a visa and spelling errors can cause boarding problems. A yellow fever certificate is needed only if you arrive from a risk country. The CDC lists malaria risk in some rural and forested areas but not the main cities, and dengue is a concern, so insect protection matters. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are commonly recommended. See the CDC page for Vietnam. Book a travel clinic visit four to six weeks before departure, because some vaccine courses take time. Health notes reflect the CDC’s Travelers’ Health pages as last checked in October 2026, and notices change quickly.
Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. Airline routes, schedules, baggage rules and entry requirements change, so your specialist confirms the current options when they quote your trip.
Planning a trip? See our Vietnam flights page, our mission travel and student travel pages, or send us your dates for a quote.
Questions, answered.
When are flights to Vietnam most expensive?
Fares peak in December and January, around Tet (Lunar New Year, between late January and mid-February), and in the US summer break. September to November and March to April are often better value.
Is there a non-stop flight from the US to Vietnam?
Vietnam Airlines has flown non-stop from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City. Most other travelers connect once, for example via Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Most travelers need a visa, and an e-visa is available for many nationalities. Use the official government portal only, and make sure the passport details match exactly.
