Hanoi (HAN) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) Ranks Second Among the World’s Busiest Domestic Air Routes in January 2026 🎉
The Hanoi (HAN) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) air route ranked as the second busiest domestic air corridor in the world in January 2026, according to data from UK-based global aviation analytics provider OAG.
In the first month of 2026 alone, total scheduled capacity on the route reached 1,100,549 seats, equivalent to more than 1.1 million passengers carried within a single month. This performance allowed the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City corridor to surpass major domestic air routes in Japan, India and Saudi Arabia, marking one of the strongest monthly showings ever recorded by Vietnam’s aviation market.
This exceptional start to 2026 builds on a solid foundation established in the previous year. By the end of 2025, the HAN-SGN route ranked fourth among the world’s busiest domestic routes, with over 11 million seats scheduled throughout the year. Capacity on Vietnam’s largest domestic corridor increased 4% year-on-year and stood 8% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels, highlighting the sustained recovery and expansion of domestic air travel.
The route is also one of the most competitive domestic markets globally. Six airlines operated services on the corridor in 2025, while average one-way fares declined by 11% year-on-year to approximately USD 67, improving affordability and further stimulating demand across both business and leisure segments.
Spanning approximately 1,000 kilometres with an average flight time of just two hours, the HAN-SGN route forms the backbone of Vietnam’s domestic air network. Often referred to by industry insiders as the country’s “golden route” it plays a pivotal role in airline network planning, capacity deployment and overall market performance.
The route’s consistently high traffic volumes reflect a combination of structural drivers. Vietnam’s sustained economic growth, high population density and rising inter-regional mobility continue to generate strong demand for fast and efficient travel between the nation’s two largest urban centres. While rail infrastructure is gradually improving, air travel remains the most time-efficient and practical option for the majority of passengers.
Economic fundamentals at both ends of the corridor further reinforce demand. Hanoi, as Vietnam’s political, administrative and educational centre, generates significant government and institutional travel, while Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s commercial and financial powerhouse, anchors business, trade and tourism flows. The resulting mix of corporate travellers, visiting friends and relatives traffic, and leisure passengers keeps the route consistently among the busiest in the world.
The progression of the HAN-SGN route from a top-four global ranking in 2025 to second place worldwide in January 2026 underscores not only the scale and resilience of Vietnam’s domestic aviation market, but also its strong long-term growth potential as connectivity, travel demand and economic integration continue to deepen.