Vietnam Travel Update: Cheaper Flights, Mekong Floating Season & What’s Happening Now

Vietnam is moving into a busy autumn travel period, with several changes and seasonal events worth knowing about if you are visiting the country in September or October 2026.

There is no single major travel story this week, but several smaller developments are useful when planning a trip. Domestic flights have become noticeably cheaper after the National Day holiday, the annual floating season has arrived in the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City is preparing for Mid-Autumn Festival, and a major BIGBANG concert is already affecting flight and hotel demand in Hanoi.

Domestic Flights Are Much Cheaper After National Day

One of the most useful developments for travelers right now is the sharp drop in domestic airfares.

After the busy September 2 National Day period, airlines have significantly reduced prices on several domestic routes as demand moves into the autumn low season. Recent fare checks found many September and October flights selling for 30–50% less than during the summer and holiday peak.

Return flights on some popular routes can now be found from around VND 1.2–1.6 million, including taxes and fees. This applies particularly to routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc.

For example, September return flights from Hanoi to Da Nang were recently available for around VND 1.2–1.5 million, while flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc were commonly around VND 1.22–1.6 million.

The cheapest fares tend to appear on weekdays and on early-morning or late-evening flights. Promotional fares can also exclude checked baggage and other extras, so compare the final price before booking.

If you are planning to move around the country this autumn, this is a good time to check your options using our Vietnam domestic flights guide and compare the total cost with trains and other transport.

The Mekong Delta Has Entered Floating Season

One of the more unusual seasonal experiences in southern Vietnam is happening right now.

The annual floating season has arrived in the upstream Mekong Delta, particularly around Dong Thap. From roughly August through November, rising water from the Mekong floods low-lying fields and creates a very different landscape from the dry-season countryside.

This year, visitors are already heading to flooded areas around Hong Ngu Ward, Thuong Phuoc and Thuong Lac. Locals swim and play in the floodwaters, while visitors can also explore the flooded landscape by small boat or motorized boat.

The attraction is less about a conventional sightseeing spot and more about experiencing a seasonal part of Mekong Delta life. The floodwaters bring fish, shrimp and fertile sediment into the fields and have traditionally been regarded by local communities as a natural gift.

If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta can be visited as a day trip, although travelers who want a slower experience can spend longer in the region. Our guide to Mekong Delta day trips from Ho Chi Minh City is a useful starting point.

Mid-Autumn Season Is Taking Over Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is also entering the final weeks before Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 25, 2026.

One of the most interesting seasonal attractions this year is the “Coc Coc Tung Tung” lantern exhibition at the more than 160-year-old Son Tra Communal House.

The centerpiece is a nearly three-meter-tall toad lantern, accompanied by giant handmade animal figures inspired by the Vietnamese folk tale The Toad Sues Heaven.

The exhibition runs until October 11. It is open from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekends.

Unlike the commercial lantern streets, this exhibition focuses on traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship and folklore inside a historic communal house. For visitors interested in local culture, it is an easy seasonal addition to a Ho Chi Minh City itinerary.

You can read our full guide to the giant Mid-Autumn lanterns in Ho Chi Minh City for the complete details.

BIGBANG Is Already Affecting Hanoi Travel Demand

Looking ahead to October, Hanoi is preparing for two major BIGBANG concerts at My Dinh National Stadium on October 24 and 25.

The concerts are already having an effect on the city’s travel market. Reports from late August showed higher demand for accommodation around My Dinh, while flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for the concert weekend had already climbed significantly above normal levels.

This matters even if you are not attending the concert. Travelers planning to visit Hanoi around October 24–25 should expect stronger demand for hotels in Hanoi, particularly around My Dinh, and potentially higher flight prices as the dates approach.

BIGBANG’s official tour schedule confirms the two Hanoi shows on October 24 and 25, with both performances scheduled at My Dinh National Stadium.

What This Means for Travelers

September and October are shaping up to be an interesting period for traveling around Vietnam.

• Flights: domestic airfares are currently much cheaper than during the summer and National Day peak.
• Mekong Delta: floating season is underway and continues through the autumn months.
• Ho Chi Minh City: Mid-Autumn activities are building toward September 25, with giant traditional lanterns on display until October 11.
• Hanoi: BIGBANG’s October 24–25 concerts are already increasing demand for flights and accommodation.

If you are flexible with dates, this can be a particularly good period to explore Vietnam. Cheaper domestic flights make multi-city itineraries more affordable, while several seasonal events offer experiences that are only available for a limited time.

Bottom Line

There is no need to radically change a Vietnam itinerary because of these developments. But if you are planning a trip for September or October, they are worth keeping in mind.

September is currently a good window to look for cheaper domestic flights and experience the Mekong Delta floating season, while late September brings Mid-Autumn Festival activities across the country. If Hanoi is on your itinerary around October 24–25, book your accommodation and flights earlier than usual because of the BIGBANG concerts.

Sources

This update is based on recent reporting from Tuoi Tre News, including its reports on domestic airfares and the Mekong Delta floating season, as well as current information from BIGBANG’s official tour schedule.