HCMC – More than 4,400 air passengers in Vietnam have been affected by canceled or suspended flights as the Middle East conflict has forced several countries to close their airspace, disrupting operations by major carriers.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said the airspace closure in Qatar led Qatar Airways to cancel flights between Vietnam and Doha from February 28 to March 2. Five flights from Hanoi and four from HCMC were canceled, affecting around 2,557 passengers. The airline set up airport support counters and offered ticket refunds or rebooking options.
Emirates also suspended all flights to and from Dubai until 6:00 p.m. on March 2 (Vietnam time) following airspace closures by authorities in the United Arab Emirates. The suspension affected six flights in Vietnam, including three in HCMC, two in Hanoi, and one in Danang, impacting about 1,881 passengers. Emirates allowed passengers to rebook within 10 days or request refunds, and advised travelers to check flight status before going to the airport.
Etihad Airways temporarily halted flights between Abu Dhabi and Vietnam until 5:00 a.m. on March 2. Affected passengers were offered free ticket changes until March 15 or full refunds.
Turkish Airlines also canceled flights to several Middle Eastern destinations, including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the UAE. However, its flights to and from Hanoi and HCMC were operating normally, with no reported delays or cancellations linked to the airspace closures.
Airlines said flight schedules will depend on the evolving security situation and decisions by aviation authorities in the region. Carriers have implemented rebooking and refund policies and urged passengers to monitor flight updates.
The flight suspensions reflect broader disruptions across global aviation, as escalating military tensions in the Middle East have affected airlines, travelers, and tour operators in Vietnam. Airspace closures at major transit hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi disrupted long-haul routes connecting Asia with Europe and North America, including flights originating in Vietnam.
Vietnamese travel companies have suspended tours to affected destinations and are helping customers reschedule trips. Many travelers have requested itinerary changes or postponements due to safety concerns and flight disruptions.
Pham Anh Vu, deputy general director of Viet Media Travel, said the Middle East had been a fast-growing niche market for Vietnamese outbound tourism, with popular routes to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and multi-country tours linking Turkey, Jordan and Egypt. However, geopolitical tensions have significantly affected customer sentiment, especially for trips involving transit through Middle Eastern hubs.
Travel firms said they are working with airlines and international partners to minimize costs for customers, including allowing date changes or preserving ticket value instead of imposing full cancellation fees.
Operational teams are closely monitoring updates from aviation authorities and international organizations to keep customers informed of flight changes.
The disruption has also affected inbound tourism. Nguyen Son Thuy, director of Indochina Unique Tourist Company, said flight cancellations from the Middle East have affected international visitors to Vietnam, while many tourism services had already been prepaid.
Industry representatives said flexible policies and timely information are critical to reducing losses. Flight disruptions could lead to tour cancellations, revenue declines, and reduced work opportunities for tour guides, even as businesses continue to face fixed operating costs.
Airlines and travel companies said future operations will depend on security developments and airspace reopening decisions in the Middle East.
