From July 1, 2026, a new rule took effect letting passengers hit by delays or cancellations on flights to and from Vietnam claim fixed compensation and refunds from the airline. It rests on Decree 208/2026 and the Transport Ministry's Circular 48, which puts it into practice, and covers both domestic and international flights. Vietnamese routes are prone to delays, especially afternoon flights in the rainy season, and this summerDomestic flights set for a major increasemeans seats become easier to get, but as the number of flights rises, so does the chance of hitting a delay or cancellation. For those arranging same-day business trips or connecting back to Japan, knowing "in what situations, how much, and within how many days you get your money back" directly changes how much you lose.
What changed from July 1
Until now, Vietnamese airlines handled delays and cancellations differently from carrier to carrier, and it was unclear whether passengers could receive any compensation. The new rules unify this into a national standard, spelling out the amounts passengers can claim and the deadlines for delays and cancellations caused by the airline.
There are two main pillars. One is, based on flight distance,Fixed compensationthe other, for delays of four hours or more or cancellationsA full refund of the ticketThese are two separate systems, and if you meet the conditions you can claim both. It is worth knowing in advance that cases not caused by the airline, such as bad weather, fall outside the fixed-rate compensation.
The definition of a delay, and compensation amounts by distance
The new rule defines a flight whose actual departure is more than 15 minutes behind the scheduled time as "delayed," and one running four hours or more behind as a "long delay." The fixed compensation amounts break down by flight distance as follows. Under the scheme, the amounts are set in dong for domestic flights and in US dollars for international flights.
| Classification | Flight distance | Compensation amount (currency as set) | Approximate yen conversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic flights | Under 500 km | 220,000 dong | About 1,300 yen |
| Domestic flights | 500 to under 1,000 km | 330,000 dong | About 1,950 yen |
| Domestic flights | 1,000 km or more | 440,000 dong | About 2,600 yen |
| International routes | Under 1,000km | 28 dollars | about 4,300 yen |
| International routes | 1,000 to under 2,500 km | 55 dollars | about 8,500 yen |
| International routes | 2,500 to under 5,000 km | 88 dollars | About 13,600 yen |
| International routes | 5,000 km or more | 165 dollars | About 25,600 yen |
The yen conversions are rough estimates figured at 10,000 dong ≈ 59 yen and 1 dollar ≈ 155 yen (approximate for July 2026). Direct flights between Japan and Vietnam generally fall in the 2,500–5,000 km band, so around 88 dollars is the upper guideline. International flights out of Ho Chi Minh City will, going forward,Some flights are being moved in stages to the new Long Thanh Airport 40 km to the eastso be sure to check your departure airport and terminal when you book.
What you can receive for each length of delay
Beyond the compensation, the services an airline must provide are also set in stages according to the length of the delay. Knowing what you can ask for while stuck at the airport changes how you handle it.
- delays of two hours or more- provision of a drink, or a voucher of equivalent value
- Delays of three hours or more— provision of a meal or an equivalent voucher
- Delays of four hours or more (airline's fault)——a full refund of the ticket, including the unused portion, if they don't accommodate a time change or rebooking
- A delay of six hours or more— a place to rest between 7:00 and 22:00, or accommodation or a nap arranged between 22:00 and 7:00
Local reports point out that even after the system took effect, many passengers miss out on up to 440,000 dong in compensation because they don't know how to claim it. If you simply wait in silence at the counter, there are cases where what you're owed doesn't come automatically.
How business travelers and tourists should file a claim
The key to turning the system to your advantage is not confusing the two types of claims. This is the most practical part of all.
First,Claim the fixed-rate compensation "within 90 days of the scheduled departure date"Airlines are obliged to process a formal claim within 21 days of receiving it. Saving your boarding pass, booking number, and photos of the emails or notices showing the delay or cancellation on your phone on the spot makes the claim go smoothly.
Second,For full refunds due to delays of four hours or more or cancellations, the deadline is 'within 60 days.', which is shorter than for fixed compensation—worth noting. The clock starts on the scheduled departure date for a cancellation, and on the actual departure date for a delay. The time to complete a refund also varies by payment method, capped at 14 days for a voucher, 21 days for cash or bank transfer, and 45 days for a credit card. If you bought through a travel agency, the flow is up to 30 days from the airline to the agency, and 25 days from the agency to the passenger.
Third,Don't put off stating your intent on the spotis the key. Even if you're offered a rebooking for a delay of four hours or more, if you want a refund you need to clearly say you won't accept the rebooking. Boarding a substitute flight while things stay vague can mean giving up your right to a full refund yourself.
A practical guide to filing a claim
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective date | July 1, 2026 |
| Basis | Decree 208 / Ministry of Transport Circular 48 |
| Target | Domestic and international flights (delays or cancellations that are the airline's fault) |
| Deadline to claim the fixed compensation | Within 90 days of the scheduled departure date |
| Deadline for processing compensation | within 21 days of the formal claim |
| Deadline to claim a full refund | within 60 days (from the scheduled departure date for cancellations, and from the actual departure date for delays) |
| Deadline for completing the refund | Voucher 14 days / cash or bank transfer 21 days / card 45 days |
Vietnam continues to see new LCC entrants and added flights, andNew carriers are also emerging, adding aircraft and expanding their route networksThe more flights there are, the wider the gap grows between those who know the rules for delays and cancellations and those who don't.
Summary - just three things to prepare before boarding
The new rules turn delays and cancellations — which travelers often had to simply swallow — into rights with defined amounts and deadlines. There are three things business travelers and tourists should do before boarding. First, know the distance band of your flight (domestic or international; roughly 88 dollars for Japan–Vietnam). Second, if you hit a delay or cancellation, save photos of your boarding pass, booking number, and the delay display on the spot. Third, remember the two separate deadlines: 60 days for refunds and 90 days for compensation. When you next book a Vietnam flight, checking only the latest information on the departure airport and terminal in advance will put your mind at ease.
Sources
- Vietnam mandates up to $165 compensation for canceled, delayed flights（VnExpress International）
- Government issues new rules on flight delay, cancellation compensation（SGGP English）
- Passengers to be compensated for flight delays from next month（Vietnam News）
- Passengers to be compensated for flight delays from next month（VOV）
