HCMC – The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has approved extended night-time operations at six domestic airports to ease congestion during the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026 holiday.
The airports are Tho Xuan, Dong Hoi, Chu Lai, Pleiku, Tuy Hoa and Phu Cat. The measure targets rising travel demand during Tet and the spring festival season.
From February 1 to March 1, operating hours at the six airports will be adjusted. Tho Xuan Airport will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 2:40 a.m. the following day, instead of closing at 11:00 p.m. Dong Hoi Airport will extend operations to 4:30 a.m. the following day, compared with the current 9:00 p.m. closing time. Chu Lai, Pleiku and Tuy Hoa airports will remain open until midnight, while Phu Cat Airport will operate until 1:50 a.m. the following day.
Airlines are also increasing capacity. Vietnam Airlines said it will add nearly 300 domestic flights, or around 60,000 seats, between February 9 and March 3. The additional flights will mainly serve routes from HCMC to Hanoi, Vinh, Haiphong, Thanh Hoa and Danang. The carrier will also open four new routes from Haiphong to Nha Trang, Can Tho, Buon Ma Thuot and Phu Quoc.
Meanwhile, Vietjet plans to supply an additional 390,000 seats, equivalent to nearly 1,800 flights, during the Tet peak.
Passengers are encouraged to use online check-in and biometric identification to reduce congestion at airports, particularly those without checked baggage.
