Booking a flight to Vietnam from the US can be intimidating, especially for a first-time traveler. After all, it’s all the way across the Pacific (usually) and will take at least 14 hours to complete. Luckily, there are some very good options for flights from the US to Vietnam, and we’ve rounded up some of them on this page. We’ll try to walk you through the process step-by-step.
Table of Contents
Choosing Your Airline
Step 1 is to decide what airline you want to use.
The journey from the US to Vietnam is serviced by several major airlines, offering various routes and experiences. Here’s an overview focusing on US-based airlines that fly to Vietnam, rated for service and price:
United Airlines
Delta Airlines
American Airlines
Don’t be afraid to fly on airlines not operated in America, though. They generally offer excellent service and are fully-staffed with English-speakers. Our top recommendations for foreign airlines that fly from the US to Vietnam include:
Qatar Airlines
Korean Air
Vietnam Airlines
Flight Aggregators
If you’re looking for the cheapest Vietnam tickets you can find, it may be more effective to use a flight aggregator than to go through an airline’s site. Some of our favorite aggregators for flights from the US to Vietnam are:
USA to Vietnam Flight Time and Distance
No matter what route from the US to Vietnam you’re taking, it’s going to take a while. The table below lists the distance in miles from each of five major cities to Vietnam, as well as the number of hours the trip will take with different amounts of layovers on the trip.
| US City | 1 Layover (Hours) | 2 Layovers (Hours) | No Layover (Hours) | Distance (Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 16-18 | 20-22 | 14-16 | 7,400 |
| Los Angeles | 17-19 | 21-23 | – | 8,000 |
| Houston | 18-20 | 22-24 | – | 8,500 |
| New York | 19-21 | 23-25 | – | 8,700 |
| Chicago | 18-20 | 22-24 | – | 8,400 |
Common Layovers During the Flight to Vietnam from the US
Almost all flights from the US to Vietnam include at least one layover at a foreign airport. Luckily, most of the hub airports the flights stop at are among the best in the world. Some of the more common ones used as a go-between for US-Vietnam flights, as well as several notable features of each, are listed in this table.
| Airport (Code) | Location | Notable Features | Free Sleeping Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Nirita Airport (TNA) | Tokyo, Japan | – Observation decks, traditional Japanese garden – Numerous dining options, free WiFi, and shower facilities | Yes, limited area |
| Incheon International Airport (ICN) | Seoul, South Korea | – Cultural performances, Korean culture museum – Ice skating rink, free transit tours, and shower facilities | Yes, in designated rest zones |
| Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) | Hong Kong | – IMAX theater, Aviation Discovery Centre – SkyDeck, art and cultural exhibition, free WiFi | No, but relaxation lounges available for a free |
| Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) | Singapore | – Butterfly garden, rooftop swimming pool, movie theaters – Free city tours (for layovers > 5.5 hours), numerous garden | Yes, in designated rest zones |
| Qatar Airways Hamad International Airport (DOH) | Doha, Qatar | – Art installation, swimming pool, squash courts – Luxury shopping, quiet rooms, and lounges with sleeping facilities | Yes, in quiet rooms and lounges |
| Dubai International Airport (DXB) | Dubai, UAE | – Indoor Zen gardens, health clubs, swimming pool – SnoozeCubes and Sleep’n Fly lounges (fee applies) | No, but paid sleeping pods and lounges available |
Is There a Direct Flight from Vietnam to the US?
Yes, but only one. Vietnam Airlines operates a direct flight, VN98, from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City. The flight operates four times weekly, leaving in the evening on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The average cost of an economy class ticket on the direct flight is around $1200, or $3000 for business class.
Additional Resources
Now that you’ve researched your flight options, you should also check out:
- The Complete Vietnam Visa Guide
- Our Vietnam Destination Guides
Related FAQs
Approximately 19-21 hours with one layover, and 23-25 hours with two layovers.
Direct flights take about 14-16 hours, while flights with layovers range from 16 to 22 hours.
If you book well in advance of your flight and buy economy class tickets during an off-peak season, prices can be as low as $500-600 for a round trip to and from Vietnam. Economy class tickets during the peak tourist season are usually around $900 round trip, and premium or business classes cost even more. Of course, last-minute booking will often add to the ticket price.
Vietnam has five airports that regularly service flights from the US:
- Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang
- Phu Quoc International Airport on the island of Phu Quoc
- Cam Ranh International Airport in Nha Trang
You can fly into any of these five airports, depending on what area you want to visit in Vietnam.
Yes, Vietnam Airlines offers a direct flight from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City. VN98 leaves in the evening every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Economy class tickets cost around $1200 and business class cost around $3000.
