Vietnam Airlines may make a stronger recovery than expected, according to the latest data.
Lately, Vietnam Airlines has offered extraordinary fares starting at just VND 99,000/one-way on some newly-resumed routes (equivalent to VND 579,000 /one-way including taxes and fees). This promotion applies to tickets bought from September 22, 2020 to December 31, 2020, with departure dates between October 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.
By restoring these routes, Vietnam Airlines has officially increased its operating flight routes to 60. At the same time, the national carrier claimed first place in the domestic market with more than 300 flights/day as Vietnam has kept the Covid-19 pandemic under control following two waves in March and July.
After the first wave was speedily controlled in March, the domestic flight market bounced back quickly in May, and actually surpassed figures from the same period of June and July 2019. Interestingly, after the second wave was controlled, the recovery in passenger numbers was even more impressive.

At one point in September, Vietnam Airlines’ domestic passenger volume actually exceeded the previous year’s figure by 12%. This shows an amazing recovery since the second wave of Covid-19 in Vietnam. The Vietnam Airlines Group (which includes Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO) is by far the leading airlines enterprise in the domestic market, holding 51.7% of market share.
It’s estimated that Vietnam Airlines’ consolidated revenue during the first nine months of 2020 may reach VND 23,948 billion, while its consolidated loss is expected to be VND 10,750 billion, of which the parent company incurred over VND 8,700 billion. This loss is a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic’s destructive impact on the airline industry. Tourism stimulation programs that support key Vietnam government goals and the inability to exploit the international market have reduced Vietnam Airlines’ business efficiency. Nevertheless, current losses are lower than expected thanks to Vietnam Airlines’ effective measurements, which have included cutting costs; restructuring and reorganizing labor; extending payment due dates; postponing non-urgent investments; and taking all opportunities to increase revenues.

Moving to the fourth quarter, Vietnam Airlines’ passenger transportation activities have shown some positive changes. To date, Vietnam is one of the countries to have best-controlled the pandemic. The domestic market is recovering quickly and some international air routes have resumed, including the “golden routes” to Japan, Korea, and China. All international flights are strictly controlled to meet guidelines on epidemic prevention and control.
In 2020, dubbed “the Worst Year in Aviation History”, global airlines view mitigating losses as a great achievement.
12 Routes resumed since October 1, 2020
Routes | Flights per week | Flight Date |
Hai Phong – Dalat | 3 | Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays |
Hai Phong – Nha Trang | 4 | Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays |
Hai Phong – Buon Ma Thuot | 3 | Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays |
Đà Nẵng – Đà Lạt | 4 | Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays |
Đà Nẵng – Buôn Ma Thuột | 3 | Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays |
Hải Phòng – Đà Nẵng | 4 | Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays |
Hải Phòng – Phú Quốc | 4 | Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays |
Đà Nẵng – Phú Quốc | 4 | Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays,Sundays |
Đà Nẵng – Nha Trang | 3 | Tuesdays, Fridays,Sundays |
Đà Lạt – Phú Quốc | 3 | Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays |
Thanh Hóa – Buôn Ma Thuột | 3 | Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays |
Vinh – Nha Trang | 3 | Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays |