Vietnam is long and thin, about 1,650 km from Hanoi to Saigon, so how you get between cities decides how much of your trip you actually enjoy. I've moved travellers up and down this country for fifteen years, many of them in their sixties and seventies. Here's the honest comparison of the airlines and the train in 2026, including one airline that has just stopped flying and a new airport that opens in December.
The short answer
For long hops, fly Vietnam Airlines. Hanoi to Da Nang is about 1 hour 20 minutes in the air, a checked bag is included, and it's the most reliable of the big airlines.
Take the train for short, scenic legs, above all Hue to Da Nang over the Hai Van Pass. The overnight train from Hanoi to Da Nang takes about 16 hours.
Bamboo Airways stopped scheduled flights in August 2026. Don't book it. Vietjet is cheapest but has the most delays.
Flight or train: which is better in Vietnam?
For most travellers over 50, flying is better for any leg longer than about five hours by train. The train is slower, but it's calm, you can walk around, and a couple of routes are among the most beautiful journeys in Asia.
| Flight | Overnight train | |
|---|---|---|
| Time on board | About 1h 20m | About 16 to 18 hours |
| Door to door | 4 to 5 hours with airport time | About 17 to 19 hours |
| One-way fare | US$25 to $100 | US$55 to $75 in a soft sleeper |
| Luggage | Weight limits, checked bag fees on Vietjet | Bring what you can lift onto the rack |
| Comfort | Standard economy seat, short flight | Bunk bed in a 4-berth cabin, shared toilet |
| Best for | Saving a day | Travellers who enjoy the journey itself |
Which Vietnamese airline should you fly in 2026?
Vietnam Airlines: the safe choice
The national carrier. Domestic economy usually includes a 23 kg checked bag and up to 12 kg of carry-on, though the cheapest fare types can differ, so check yours. Seats are standard economy, and on busy routes you'll often get a bigger plane than you'd expect. It was on time roughly three-quarters of the time in 2025. Hanoi to Saigon runs from about US$32 to $50 one way when you book ahead. This is the airline I book for older travellers.
Vietjet: cheap, with strings attached
The low-cost airline with the most flights. Fares start very low, but checked bags are not included. You buy 15, 20 or 30 kg in advance, and paying at the airport costs 60,000 dong per kilo on domestic flights. Carry-on is 7 kg. The bigger problem for a tight itinerary is punctuality: only about 55% of Vietjet flights were on time in the first nine months of 2025, the worst of the main airlines. Fine for a flexible day. Risky if you have a cruise to catch.
Bamboo Airways: not flying
Bamboo had the best on-time record in 2025, then ran out of money. It stopped selling tickets and has had no scheduled flights since 22 August 2026. It now flies only charters with a handful of planes. Ignore any old blog post that recommends it.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways and Vietravel Airlines
Sun PhuQuoc Airways is a new airline built around Phu Quoc island, adding routes like Hanoi to Nha Trang and Hai Phong to Saigon in 2026. Vietravel Airlines is small, with only a few aircraft, and is going through a rebrand. Both are fine for the right route, but neither has enough flights to rescue you if one is cancelled.
| Airline | Checked bag | Carry-on | On time (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines | 23 kg on most fares | 12 kg | About 75% |
| Vietjet | Paid extra | 7 kg | About 55% |
| Vietravel Airlines | Paid extra | Check your fare | About 68% (first half) |
| Bamboo Airways | No scheduled flights since 22 August 2026 | ||
How to avoid delays on domestic flights
- Fly in the morning. Delays pile up through the day. The first flights out are the most likely to leave on time.
- Never book a tight connection to a cruise, a train or an international flight. Leave at least four hours, or a night.
- Buy checked bags online when you book, not at the counter.
- Arrive 90 minutes early for a domestic flight. Queues at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat can be long, especially around holidays and Tet.
- Keep your hotel and driver informed. A good driver tracks your flight and waits.
Is the train in Vietnam comfortable for older travellers?
Yes, in a soft sleeper, as long as you're comfortable climbing to a bunk and using a shared train toilet. A soft sleeper is a closed cabin with four beds, air-con, a reading light and a door that locks. Book a lower berth: they're easier to get in and out of, and you sit on them during the day.
What to expect honestly: the train sways, it stops at every town, and you won't sleep as well as in a hotel. Bring slippers, a water bottle and something to eat, because the trolley food is basic. Steps up into the carriage are high, so travel light or ask for help with bags.
| Route | Time | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Hue to Da Nang | About 2.5 to 3 hours | Yes. The Hai Van Pass coastline is the best train view in Vietnam |
| Hanoi to Hue | About 13 hours, overnight | Yes, if you like trains. See my Hanoi to Hue train guide |
| Hanoi to Da Nang | About 16 to 18 hours | Only for train lovers. Fly instead |
| Saigon to Da Nang | About 16 to 18 hours | Fly instead |
| Hanoi to Lao Cai (Sapa) | About 8 hours, overnight | Mixed. The highway bus or a private car is now faster |
Let us sort the logistics
On our private trips we book the flights, trains and transfers around your games, with a driver waiting at every arrival. If a flight slips, we move the court time, not you.
See the tripsWhat changes in 2026 and 2027
- Long Thanh International Airport opens on 1 December 2026, about 40 km east of Saigon. At first only some international flights will use it. From 28 March 2027 all long-haul international flights move there, and more follow from October 2027. Domestic flights are expected to stay mostly at Tan Son Nhat for now. If you fly long-haul into Saigon after March 2027, allow extra time for the transfer into the city.
- Tan Son Nhat's Terminal 3 opened in 2025 for domestic flights, which has eased the worst queues in Saigon.
- Bamboo Airways has no scheduled flights and no date to return. Check again before booking in 2027.
- The North–South high-speed railway is planned to start construction around the end of 2026, with completion aimed for about 2035. It won't affect your trip for years.
My rule of thumb
Fly Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Saigon with Vietnam Airlines, in the morning, with a checked bag. Take the train from Hue to Da Nang for the views. Use a private car for anything under four hours. That one plan covers most of the routes in our two weeks in Vietnam itinerary, and it's how our Top to Bottom trip moves.
Domestic flights and trains in Vietnam: FAQ
Is it better to fly or take the train from Hanoi to Da Nang?
Fly, unless you love trains. The flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs US$25 to $100. The overnight train takes about 16 to 18 hours and costs US$55 to $75 in a soft sleeper.
Is Bamboo Airways still flying in 2026?
No. Bamboo Airways stopped selling tickets and has had no scheduled domestic flights since 22 August 2026. It operates only a few charter flights.
Which Vietnamese airline is most reliable?
Of the airlines with scheduled flights in 2026, Vietnam Airlines is the most reliable, at roughly 75% on time in 2025. Vietjet was the least punctual, at about 55%.
How much luggage can I take on a domestic flight in Vietnam?
Vietnam Airlines economy usually includes 23 kg checked and 12 kg carry-on. Vietjet includes 7 kg carry-on only, and checked bags must be bought separately, ideally online in advance.
When does Long Thanh Airport open?
Long Thanh International Airport near Ho Chi Minh City opens for commercial flights on 1 December 2026. Long-haul international flights move there from 28 March 2027.
The bottom line
For older travellers in Vietnam, fly the long legs with Vietnam Airlines in the morning, and save the train for Hue to Da Nang. Skip Bamboo Airways, which isn't flying, and book Vietjet only when your day can absorb a delay. From 2027, long-haul flights into Saigon land at the new Long Thanh Airport, so plan your first night with that in mind.
Where these facts come from
On-time figures are 2025 data compiled from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam by Day Trips Vietnam. Baggage allowances are from Vietnam Airlines' baggage pages and Vietjet's fare rules. Bamboo Airways' suspension was reported by InsideFlyer and AeroTime. Long Thanh's opening date and transfer schedule were reported by Dan Tri in September 2026. Train times are from Vietnam Railways timetables and my own trips. Airline rules change often, so check your fare before you fly.