HCMC – The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has approved three Qatar Airways flights under a combined arrangement on the Doha–Hanoi–HCMC route from March 24 to 29, following the temporary closure of Doha’s airspace.
The flights aim to ease congestion and support travelers impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, while gradually restoring air connectivity between Qatar and Vietnam, including passenger, cargo and mail services. The CAAV noted that these flights will not carry domestic passengers on the Hanoi–HCMC leg.
Despite the disruption, according to the agency, international arrivals to Vietnam have remained stable, save for a sharp surge in travelers from Europe in March and April 2026, as passengers rerouted to avoid Middle East airspace. Meanwhile, according to Vietnam Airlines, average airfares between Vietnam and international destinations rose by more than 15% year-on-year, with significant growth on routes to Europe, Australia, and the United States.
Domestic airfare also saw a significant spike. While prices were stable early in the year, they jumped by 15-23% in March, averaging a 20% increase compared to previous levels due to the impact of the regional conflict.
