News
Vietnam to introduce rules obliging airlines to refund passengers for delayed flights starting next month
June 18th 2026
Vietnam’s airlines will have to give passengers a full refund of the ticket when a flight is delayed by four hours or more due to the carrier’s own fault, under new government rules taking effect July 1. Read More » The Decree 208/2026 on air transport was issued on June 15, setting out how airlines must treat passengers when flights are delayed, canceled or rescheduled. Under the decree, a flight is considered delayed once its actual departure is postponed by 15 minutes. A delay of four hours or more is classed as an extended delay. According to the regulations, once a delay reaches two hours, the airline must offer drinking water or a voucher of equal value. It must also rebook or reroute passengers who request a change so they can still reach their destination. At three hours, carriers must provide a meal or an equivalent voucher. At four hours, if the delay is the airline’s fault and the passenger refuses a rebooking or rerouting, the carrier must refund the full fare or the value of the unused portion. Airlines must also pay non-refundable advance compensation to anyone holding a confirmed seat and a valid ticket, payable once per flight. Delays of six hours or more trigger an accommodation requirement. Between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., airlines must provide a suitable rest area at the airport. For delays running from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day, they must arrange overnight lodging locally or an alternative if the passenger agrees. The decree says the travelers who have already taken a refund are not covered. The food, drink, and rest obligations apply only to passengers who hold a ticket, have a confirmed seat, and are present at the airport. The decree also covers schedule changes made before a flight timetable is finalized. If an airline moves a departure by more than 5 hours between when tickets go on sale and when the schedule’s published, it must notify passengers and either refund them or reassign them to another flight within 72 hours. The document also introduces rules for treating passengers on board. If a plane has closed its doors but its departure is held up by 30 minutes or more, the airline must provide water and maintain ventilation, cabin temperature, and toilet access. It must arrange emergency medical help if a passenger needs it. Should a delay exceed three hours and there is no confirmed departure time, the carrier must let passengers off the aircraft.
