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Air travel has become an indispensable part of modern life, especially for avid travelers both domestically and internationally. However, the dreaded prospect of "flight delays" or "flight cancellations" has often ruined the travel experience for many passengers.
Recently, for travel enthusiasts, there's been a significant milestone in protecting the rights of air passengers in Vietnam. The National Assembly officially passed the amended Law on Civil Aviation of Vietnam, opening a new chapter for the country's aviation services. From July 1, 2026, airlines that cause delays will have to apologize and arrange accommodation, meals, and transportation for passengers.
If an airline cancels a flight, it must provide compensation and arrange accommodation and meals for the passengers.
This adjustment emphasizes the responsibility of airlines; instead of general delay announcements, airlines are now required to be accountable for the accuracy of the reasons for delays and cancellations. This means that all incidents, from technical and personnel issues to operational matters, must be transparent and subject to strict oversight by Vietnamese aviation authorities. For travelers, this transparency is crucial to knowing the extent to which their rights are being protected.
According to the revised regulations, carriers will bear more responsibilities, especially when passengers have confirmed seats but flights are delayed, canceled, or denied boarding through no fault of their own. Specifically, from July 2026, if your flight experiences an incident, the airline (carrier) will be obligated to fulfill these obligations.
According to the new regulations, airlines must apologize to passengers promptly and publicly. This is the first and most fundamental step in showing respect for consumers. Airlines must ensure that passengers are provided with food, accommodation, transportation, and other directly related expenses commensurate with the time spent waiting at the airport. This means you won't have to worry about finding food or accommodation during stressful waiting hours, a significant improvement over the past.
This regulation acts as an "insurance policy," minimizing financial and emotional disruptions to travel or business plans in the event of unforeseen circumstances. This is crucial information for passengers to protect their rights.
Beyond basic apologies and assistance, the new Aviation Law of 2026 also includes provisions for compensation liability if an incident is due to the carrier's fault. This is a crucial point and provides a basis for travelers to claim compensation in the event of flight cancellations or prolonged delays.
If the fault lies with the airline, travelers have two options. They can either have the airline arrange a suitable alternative itinerary for them without incurring any additional fees, or receive a full refund of their ticket price or a refund of the unused portion of the ticket value as requested. This allows travelers more control over whether to wait or cancel their plans and seek alternative travel options.
In the event of airline error resulting in prolonged delays, cancellations, or denial of carriage, the airline is responsible for paying a non-refundable advance compensation in cash or equivalent value. This compensation will be deducted from any civil liability compensation that may arise later. This ensures passengers receive immediate financial assistance.
With these new regulations, travelers need to adapt their approach and handling of situations. The law stipulates that carriers must promptly inform passengers of flight information. However, you should still proactively check the information regularly via the airline's mobile app or website, especially before important flights.
Additionally, the law allows passengers to refuse a flight.
If your flight is delayed or canceled, keep all notifications, expense receipts (if you had to pay for meals and transportation yourself before the airline intervened), and other relevant documents. This will be crucial evidence when you request the airline to apologize and compensate you for the cancellation.
When your flight is delayed, proactively ask the airline about arrangements for accommodation and transportation according to the new regulations, instead of passively accepting whatever arrangements are made.
Furthermore, the new law also assigns responsibility to the Vietnamese Aviation Authority to monitor the fulfillment of this obligation by carriers, and requires airlines to be accountable for the accuracy of the reasons for delays and cancellations they publish. This enhances transparency and forces airlines to provide truthful information, preventing them from using vague excuses to evade responsibility.
The new law also clarifies the individual rights of travelers, including the right to refuse a flight. If you are in transit and your flight is interrupted (due to a prolonged delay or forced landing), you have the right to refuse to continue your journey at any airport or forced landing point. In this case, you are still entitled to a refund of your ticket price or the equivalent amount for any unused services, after deducting any fees and penalties as per the ticket conditions.
The amended Vietnamese Civil Aviation Law, effective from July 1, 2026, is a major step forward, placing the rights of air passengers at the top of the list. With clear regulations on apologies and compensation for flight cancellations, and guarantees for accommodation and transportation, passengers will be better protected, contributing to improved service quality and public confidence in the Vietnamese aviation industry.
