As Phu Quoc airfares fall ahead of holidays, hotel bookings pick up

A round ticket from Hanoi during the holidays starts at VND3.6 million, while from HCMC it is VND3.2 million, down 20-40% from a month ago.

Aviation experts said the fares started falling after aviation authorities called on airlines to increase flights to the tourist island to meet the surging demand.

Vietnam Airlines announced it would offer 551,000 seats, equivalent to 2,800 flights, on domestic routes between April 26 and May 5, a slight increase from last year.

Bamboo Airways will double its frequency to four daily flights from Hanoi, HCMC with tourist destinations.

Data from travel platform Mustgo, which partners 2,000 hotels across the country, shows occupancy rates on Phu Quoc Island during the holidays have surged.

With airfares coming down, hospitality businesses in Phu Quoc expect occupancy rates to reach 80%.

Two weeks ago the rate was only 50% after many people canceled travel plans to Phu Quoc due to the exorbitant airfares.

Known for its long, sandy beaches, turquoise waters and dense forests, Phu Quoc has become a popular holiday destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

In the first quarter of this year it received 1.5 million tourists, up 43% year-on-year.

International arrivals to Phu Quoc topped 204,000, or equivalent to 58% of its full-year target.