Crisis at a Glance
Situation Overview
Vietnam's aviation sector faces its most severe fuel crisis in history. The Iran-US war has disrupted Middle East supply chains, while China and Thailand — the two main suppliers accounting for 60% of imports — suspended fuel exports in mid-March 2026. Jet fuel prices surged 103% month-on-month (per IATA data) and tripled compared to pre-conflict levels.
Airline-by-Airline Cuts
Photo: Vietcetera
Airfare Impact
Domestic airfares could rise up to 70% according to industry analysts. The Ho Chi Minh-Hanoi route is now rarely below VND 2 million. During holidays, Hanoi-Da Nang round trips reach VND 3.8-5 million, compared to the normal VND 1.4-3 million range.
Impact: A family of 4 flying Hanoi-Da Nang during holidays could pay an extra VND 4-8 million compared to normal — equivalent to one month's minimum wage.
Diplomatic Response
On April 19, 2026, CAAV Director Uong Viet Dung formally sent a diplomatic note to Chinese counterpart Song Zhiyong, requesting Sinopec, PetroChina, and CNOOC to ensure stable fuel supply for Vietnam. This marks the first time Vietnam has had to use high-level diplomatic channels to address an aviation fuel issue.
Photo: Vietcetera