{"id":1695,"date":"2026-03-29T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/blog\/news\/vietnam-airlines-fuel-shortage-march-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T19:58:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T10:58:32","slug":"vietnam-airlines-fuel","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/vietnam-airlines-fuel\/","title":{"rendered":"A fuel shortage causes large-scale flight cuts at Vietnam's three main airlines\u2014Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Bamboo Airways expect recovery on April 10-15"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the end of March 2026, a jet fuel supply shortage stemming from rising tensions in the Middle East grew severe, and Vietnam\u2019s three major airlines announced large-scale flight reductions and suspensions one after another. Vietnam Airlines cut 15% of all flights, Vietjet Air reduced Southeast Asia routes by 8%, and Bamboo Airways fully suspended its Hanoi\u2013Hong Kong flights\u2014overlapping responses from each carrier. A recovery is expected around April 10\u201315, so Japanese travelers planning to visit Vietnam during this period must check in advance.<\/p>\n

News overview\u2014details of the three airlines\u2019 cuts and the background<\/h2>\n

The direct trigger for this fuel crisis was the Middle East conflict that intensified after February 28, 2026, and Iran\u2019s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Deliveries stalled at the region\u2019s fuel supply hubs, and airlines\u2019 stockpiles are rapidly running dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Airline<\/th>\nScale of reductions<\/th>\nMain affected routes<\/th>\nExpected recovery<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Vietnam Airlines<\/td>\n15% cut, 22 routes suspended<\/td>\nBangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur flights, and others<\/td>\nApril 15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vietjet Air<\/td>\n8% cut on Southeast Asia routes<\/td>\nHo Chi Minh City\u2013Bangkok (12\u21929 flights\/day), Singapore cut 20%<\/td>\nApril 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bamboo Airways<\/td>\nHanoi\u2013Hong Kong route (3 weekly flights) fully suspended<\/td>\nHanoi\u2013Hong Kong (until April 5)<\/td>\nEarly April<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Vietnam Airlines is also suspending 7 domestic routes (flights from Hai Phong to Buon Ma Thuot, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, and Can Tho; and from Ho Chi Minh City to Van Don, Rach Gia, and Dien Bien). Average delays by airport are reported at 2\u20134 hours at Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) and 1\u20133 hours at Hanoi (Noi Bai).<\/p>\n

Vietnamese readers\u2019 reactions\u2014voices from social media and local media<\/h2>\n
\n

\u201cMy Ho Chi Minh City\u2013Bangkok flight was suddenly canceled, and the only rebooking available was two days later. There was no explanation of compensation\u2014it was awful.\u201d
\u2014A Facebook comment from a Tan Son Nhat Airport user (March 28)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

\u201cThe fuel shortage isn\u2019t just the airlines\u2019 problem; it\u2019s a failure of reserve management at the national level. The government should urgently arrange emergency imports.\u201d
\u2014A comment on the online section of Vietnamese news outlet Tuoi Tre<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

\u201cWith all the overseas business travel I do, this is a matter of life and death. My Bangkok connections are all thrown off. I just want mid-April to come.\u201d
\u2014An X (formerly Twitter) post from a Hanoi-based businessperson<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

\u201cThe cut on the Ho Chi Minh City\u2013Singapore route wrecked my Singapore-via itinerary to Japan. I\u2019m glad I left plenty of connection time.\u201d
\u2014A post on a travel forum<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Impact and key points for Japanese tourists<\/h2>\n

Top priority: check the status of booked flights<\/strong>: If you\u2019re due to enter or leave Vietnam via Southeast Asia around late March to April 10, check your booking status on the airline\u2019s website right now. Automatic rebooking may have occurred, but it might not be on your preferred dates.<\/p>\n

Domestic flights are relatively stable<\/strong>: The main Ho Chi Minh City\u2013Hanoi trunk route maintains normal operations. However, since some domestic flights, such as to Phu Quoc, are subject to suspension, plans for domestic travel also need to be reconfirmed.<\/p>\n

Make use of compensation schemes<\/strong>: If your flight falls under EU or DOT regulations, you may be able to claim compensation worth 250\u2013600 euros in some cases. First, contact the airline.<\/p>\n

Consider alternative routes<\/strong>: If routes via Bangkok or Singapore are restricted, consider switching to routes via Kuala Lumpur or to direct flights (Japan\u2013Ho Chi Minh City, Japan\u2013Hanoi).<\/p>\n

For details on Vietnam Airlines\u2019 route changes, seeVietnam Airlines to suspend 7 routes from April 1<\/a>as well.<\/p>\n

Source<\/h2>\n