Vietnam Airlines, railways boost services for 2026 New Year
Boosting transport capacity to meet rising travel demand is the service carriers' proactive approach to serve passengers during peak travel periods at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Railways have stepped up services to meet the surging travel demand during the upcoming New Year holiday, from January 1 to 4.
For the peak period, Vietnam Airlines will offer nearly 270 flights on key domestic routes, the national flag carrier has announced.
Passengers check in at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times
Vietnam Airlines will operate nearly 270 additional flights during the peak period, adding about 45,000 seats on high-demand routes linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with major tourist destinations such as Danang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Hue, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot and Con Dao, as well as international services to China, Thailand and Australia.
Passengers are advised to complete online check-in within 24 hours prior to departure via the Vietnam Airlines website or mobile app, the VNeID platform, the customer service hotline at 19006265, or self-service check-in kiosks at airports.
In addition to increasing flights on high-demand routes, especially those to and from Hanoi, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has instructed carriers to strictly comply with air transport pricing regulations.
Railway increases services with 20,000 added seats
Meanwhile, Vietnam Railways will operate additional passenger trains and attach extra carriages to existing services to meet rising travel demand during the four-day holiday.
Foreign passengers experience traveling by train on the North-South Railway line or Reunification Express. Photo: Vietnam Railways
The sector is going to add 20,000 seats to daily regular services and operate additional short-haul trains. Around 13,400 seats will come from supplementary services on key routes.
Vietnam Railways opened ticket sales for the 2026 Lunar New Year from September 20, with the peak period running from February 3 to March 8 and covering 55 train services, more than 500 carriages and about 335,000 long-distance tickets.
By December 25, around 15,000 tickets had been sold, with seats still available on pre-Tet services from southern stations to Hanoi.
The operator said the additional capacity aims to ensure safe and sufficient travel during the holiday peak and support smooth nationwide demand, advising passengers to follow official channels and book early.
On December 19, Vietnam Railways invested more than VND60 billion (US$2.3 million) to upgrade 162 carriages, including technology and interiors.
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Amid rising travel demand, Hanoi has issued a transport service plan to ensure traffic order and safety during the 2026 New Year and Tet holiday. Transport companies in the capital have been requested to arrange sufficient vehicles, enhance reserve capacity, sell tickets early and sign transport contracts with universities and industrial zones to ease peak-day pressure. The city has also announced hotlines for public feedback on transport services during the upcoming peak holidays. |
