Spring is coming to all parts of the country, bringing with it the jubilant atmosphere of the Lunar New Year 2025. However, the joy of family reunion of millions of people is being affected by the situation of "sold out" bus tickets. With only a few days left until Tet, many people are still struggling to find a ticket to return home. Bus routes from Hanoi to the Northern and Central provinces have become overloaded, pushing ticket prices up rapidly, from 600,000 VND to 1 million VND/ticket, even double in some places. This makes many people worried and impatient, significantly affecting their mentality in preparing for Tet.
According to a survey, at Hanoi bus station, the unit received notice of increased bus ticket prices during the Lunar New Year from 4 transport companies. Of which, at Giap Bat bus station, 3 units increased ticket prices during the Lunar New Year by 60%. For example, the Hanoi - Gia Lai route (32-bed bus) increased from 650,000 VND to 1.04 million VND/ticket from February 1 to February 11, 2025; the Hanoi - Da Nang route increased from 385,000 VND/ticket to 616,000 VND/ticket from January 29 to February 13.
During the 2025 Lunar New Year season, the excitement of family reunions across the country was postponed due to sold-out tickets and high ticket prices.
Not only are the bus routes from Hanoi to Nghe An and Ha Tinh almost sold out, but the routes to the northern mountainous provinces such as Dien Bien, Lai Chau, and Lao Cai are also in a similar situation. The demand for returning home for Tet of people in the northern provinces is increasing dramatically, making it extremely difficult to find tickets. In addition, ticket prices on these routes have also increased rapidly, even doubling compared to normal days. In addition, the situation of some bus companies stuffing passengers and luggage makes the journey home for people even more difficult. However, because of the desire to reunite with their families during Tet, many people still do not hesitate to find ways to get tickets.
Not only bus routes, but also flights from Ho Chi Minh City to the Northern and Central provinces are in a serious "sold out" situation. Major airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Bamboo Airways have had to increase many flights to meet the travel needs of passengers. However, due to the large number of people booking tickets, many flights, especially those on peak days before Tet, are almost full.
Although previously, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, after allocating the number of take-off and landing slots, compared to January 10, Vietnamese airlines have now added nearly 600 flights, with about 134,800 seats, in the period from January 17 to February 12.
In particular, routes that had a 100% booking rate now have more flights. Specifically, the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City route increased by 90 flights, the Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi route increased by 89 flights, the Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang route increased by 24 flights, the Ho Chi Minh City - Thanh Hoa route increased by 22 flights, the Ho Chi Minh City - Hue route increased by 23 flights, the Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh route increased by 24 flights, the Hai Phong - Ho Chi Minh City route increased by 43 flights... compared to the previous week.
While flights are constantly full, train and bus ticket prices are also skyrocketing, making the journey home for Tet more difficult than ever for many people.
However, the situation of ticket shortage and sold-out tickets still occurs, especially on the afternoon of January 22, Vietnam Airlines' online ticket booking system was almost overloaded due to the huge number of passengers accessing it. The pressure to book tickets was so great that the system was overloaded, making it difficult for passengers to search and book tickets. Currently, the national airline only has high-class tickets such as business and premium economy on some hot routes such as Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh. Not only Vietnam Airlines, but Vietjet is also facing a similar situation. Most of the flights from Ho Chi Minh City to the Northern and Central provinces in the period from January 22-25 were sold out.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, with the long Lunar New Year holiday, the number of passengers traveling by plane has increased. Therefore, to ensure safe, on-schedule and most convenient flights, passengers need to proactively grasp all information about flights, aviation procedures, learn and comply with regulations on aviation safety and security.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam recommends that passengers who spread or provide false information that may threaten aviation security and safety, cause disturbances, disrupt public order, steal or destroy property of organizations and individuals in the airport area and on aircraft, use fake documents to board an aircraft, etc. will be strictly handled according to the law and face a temporary or permanent ban from air transport.
