At home, routes such as Hanoi‑Ho Chi Minh City and Ho Chi Minh City‑Da Nang are served by many airlines. The strong fare competition and high fuel, aircraft‑leasing and operating costs squeeze profit margins on these busy domestic flights.

Airlines see overseas markets as a chance to grow and to bring foreign tourists to Vietnam. An airline executive said the expansion is a search for “new frontiers,” but also warned that opening a route does not guarantee passengers or profits.

Because the domestic market is crowded and costly, Vietnamese airlines are adding more overseas routes to find new growth. The success of these routes will depend on real passenger demand, not just the number of flights.