Airline prices have changed a lot in 2025. The country leading the cheap-flight race this June? Vietnam. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are seeing flight prices dip as low as $350 return from the US or Europe. It sounds wild, but it’s real—searches on sites like Skyscanner and Google Flights keep showing Vietnam as a consistent bargain. Budget airlines are hungry for travelers again, and tourism boards are pushing deals to fill hotels and flights after a slow winter.
If you’re looking to save money, here’s a simple tip: always check mid-week flights or last-minute deals. Mondays and Thursdays tend to be the slowest days for departures, and you can sometimes shave $100 or more off your ticket. Use flight trackers to set alerts. If you’re just looking for a holiday and not fixed on a country, plug in “Everywhere” as your destination and let the prices guide you.
And if you spot a fare that’s too good to be true? Jump on it. The cheapest seats don’t stick around long—think hours, not days. If you need Wi-Fi to book flights while out and about, find a quiet café with decent internet. It’s what I do when Luna, my cat, takes over the living room Wi-Fi. Strike fast; trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
- Where Are Flights Cheapest Right Now?
- Why Prices Are So Low
- Best Tips to Score Deals
- Cheapest Airlines and Routes
- Hidden Costs and Smart Money Moves
Where Are Flights Cheapest Right Now?
Vietnam is topping every chart for affordable airfare in June 2025. Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are averaging return ticket prices between $340 and $390 from cities in North America and Europe. Airlines like Bamboo Airways and VietJet are even running special sales to fill seats on new international routes. According to Hopper's June 2025 flight tracker, average deals to Vietnam are down 25% compared to last summer. That’s not just marketing hype—prices really have dropped this low.
Outside Southeast Asia, Portugal is another standout. Lisbon and Porto both pop up with roundtrip fares under $450 from New York, Boston, and London, especially on weekdays. These deals aren’t just random either; airlines like TAP Air Portugal are pushing promotions thanks to new direct routes and lighter competition post-pandemic. Datapoint: Google Flights showed dozens of June departures from the U.S. to Lisbon under $400 if you avoid weekends.
If you’re flying from Australia, Bali and Kuala Lumpur take the #1 and #2 spots this month. Fares are about 30% cheaper than 2024, with AirAsia selling one-way tickets to Bali for about $60. Booking a roundtrip gets you under $160 if you catch a deal during a flash sale.
- cheapest country to fly to right now: Vietnam
- Other bargains: Portugal (Europe), Bali (from Australia), Kuala Lumpur (from Australia or Singapore)
- Hidden gems: Morocco from Europe (direct flights under $300 from Madrid or Paris)
This stuff changes fast, so double-check before you book. But if someone at work brags about cheap flights, these are the countries they probably scored tickets to.
Why Prices Are So Low
Ever wonder why flights to Vietnam and similar places are dirt cheap this June? There’s a perfect storm of reasons, and airlines aren’t posting these deals by accident. It’s mostly about filling empty seats fast, especially with more planes back in the air after the pandemic lull and not quite enough travelers to match.
Another thing going on: Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, had way fewer international visitors all winter. Boards of tourism are teaming up with carriers to launch extra discounts, hoping to lure back global tourists. For example, Vietnam logged about 25% fewer foreign arrivals in early 2025 compared to 2023 – that’s a massive gap they want to close.
Cheap flights are also getting a boost from new budget airlines fighting for territory. VietJet, Bamboo Airways, and several no-frills carriers from neighboring countries have ramped up routes. They drop prices to tempt you away from the big names, especially on long-haul flights. And when one airline goes cheap, others usually drop their fares too so they don’t look expensive.
Oil prices are another key driver. In April and May 2025, global jet fuel prices slipped by around 10%. Airlines locked in future deals at these rates, and some are passing the savings to customers to stay competitive.
Reason | Impact |
---|---|
Lower Demand | More empty seats, airlines discount tickets |
Rising Competition | Budget airlines force prices down |
Tourism Campaigns | Governments and airlines offer incentives |
Lower Fuel Prices | Cheaper operating costs passed to travelers |
One other thing: the Vietnamese dong lost some value against the dollar and euro this spring. That means your money goes further on the ground, and local airlines try harder to fill up planes and bring in tourist dollars. So if you see a jaw-dropping deal, now you know it’s not a glitch—it’s economics, plain and simple.

Best Tips to Score Deals
There are a few tricks regular travelers use to lock in the lowest airfare. If you want the cheapest country, following these steps really pays off.
- Be flexible with dates: Prices change fast—flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is usually much cheaper than the weekend. Adjust your search a few days forward or back and you could save 20% or more.
- Book at the right time: Experts tracking airfares in 2025 noticed the "sweet spot" to book most international flights is four to six weeks before you go. That time frame sees average discounts of about 14% compared to last-minute bookings.
- Use flight comparison sites: Tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo check prices from all over. Don’t just use one site—sometimes, Skyscanner shows deals others don’t, especially for routes with budget airlines.
- Try nearby airports: Flying into or out of a different city can be a game changer. For example, a flight to Bangkok from California in June is about $500, but flying to Hanoi and then taking a $45 regional flight can cut that by $150.
- Don’t skip incognito mode: Most booking websites track your search history and may bump up the price if they see you checking the same route too often. Go incognito or use private browsing to keep the deals honest.
Check out how much timing and flexibility affect ticket prices:
Booking Window | Average Price (USD) | Chance of Lowest Fare |
---|---|---|
Last-minute (1 week before) | $520 | 10% |
4-6 weeks ahead | $440 | 60% |
3+ months ahead | $480 | 30% |
One more overlooked hack: sign up for airline newsletters or deal alerts. Some of the wildest discounts don’t hit search engines—they drop into your inbox late at night or on slow booking days. I once nabbed a return ticket to Istanbul for $260 after a flash sale email, and I’m still bragging about it.
Oh, and check out luggage rules before you click buy. The rock-bottom flights sometimes charge ridiculous baggage fees and they add up fast. Always check the final cost before you pull the trigger. That’s how you turn cheap flights into real holiday wins with cheap flights that leave money in your wallet for fun stuff.
Cheapest Airlines and Routes
Booking the cheapest country to fly to means picking the right airline and route. In 2025, Vietnam has scored lowest on average flight fares, and the biggest budget players are scooping up all the buzz. Right now, VietJet Air leads with ultra-cheap long-haul options, especially for routes including Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City, often under $375 return if you catch a flash sale. Prices stay low partly because airlines are adding more direct flights, cutting out longer layovers that drive up costs.
If you're flying from Europe, Scoot (the Singapore-based low-cost carrier) offers surprisingly low fares connecting London and Berlin to Vietnam via Singapore. Don’t expect free meals or checked bags included, but if you don’t mind packing light, the saved cash is totally worth it. Eva Air and China Southern have gotten competitive too, sometimes beating Turkish Airlines on routes from Paris or Amsterdam. Always compare because prices flip-flop weekly.
Here's a quick comparison of recent deals found online by travel forums and flight trackers. Try not to book direct with high-street travel agencies—they can miss last-minute web-only fares.
Airline | Route | Typical Price (USD) | Bag Included? |
---|---|---|---|
VietJet Air | Los Angeles – Ho Chi Minh City | $370 | No |
Scoot | Berlin – Hanoi (via Singapore) | $390 | No |
Eva Air | Toronto – Ho Chi Minh City | $430 | Yes (1 bag) |
China Southern | Paris – Hanoi (via Guangzhou) | $410 | No |
Some airlines, like Bamboo Airways and Turkish Airlines, offer fares that look low but tack on charges for everything—check before you click "buy." A travel expert from Skyscanner recently said,
"Early summer is the sweet spot for bargain flight hunters, especially on new or underbooked Asian routes. Watch for flash sales every Tuesday."
Keep your eyes on those flash sales. Once you find a cheap ticket, look up baggage rules and factor in the total with any extras, so you don’t wipe out the savings at the airport. And if you want more flexibility, pick routes with airlines offering free date changes, which are popping up more as airlines try to fill those seats.

Hidden Costs and Smart Money Moves
Nabbing the cheapest country flight sounds great, but the price on your ticket isn't always the final bill. On budget airlines especially, they love to sneak in extra fees for seat selection, checked bags, onboard snacks, and sometimes even carry-on luggage. If you don’t pay attention, that $350 round-trip to Vietnam can end up costing closer to $600 by the end of booking. Fun, right?
Here's what usually shows up on people's credit card statements (even when they've booked a so-called 'cheap' flight):
- Baggage Fees: Turkish Airlines and AirAsia now often charge $30-60 per checked bag, each way.
- Carry-On Rules: Some carriers like VietJet Air have started limiting 'free' carry-ons to just 7kg. Heavier bags get a surprise fee at the gate.
- Airport Transfers: Vietnam’s airport taxis average $15-25 one way. The bus is always cheaper (closer to $2), but not as convenient if you’ve just landed after a long flight.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: If your bank card isn’t set up for international spending, expect around 3% extra on every purchase.
- Seat and Meal Charges: Seats with more legroom can run $20-60 each; even regular seats sometimes have a booking fee. Don’t be shocked if you swipe twice for a bland sandwich onboard.
Possible Hidden Cost | Average Price |
---|---|
Checked luggage | $35 per segment |
Carry-on oversize/overweight | $25 at gate |
Airport taxi (Vietnam, major cities) | $18 |
Travel SIM or airport Wi-Fi | $10-18 |
Seat selection | $18 |
Want to keep more money for banh mi and iced coffee? Try these smart moves on your next trip:
- Pack light and roll your clothes—seriously, skipping checked luggage is an instant saver.
- Check the airline's baggage policy before buying. The rules change a lot, especially on regional Asian carriers.
- Book airport buses instead of hopping in a taxi on arrival. It's not glamorous, but it's budget gold.
- Use travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. Or check if your debit card gives free ATM withdrawals abroad.
- Download offline maps and translation apps at home with good Wi-Fi so you don't have to buy a pricey SIM at the airport.
Small savings on these extras make a huge difference. Do a little homework—not fun, but it’s the best way to turn a cheap flight into a genuinely budget-friendly holiday.