How Long is the Flight to Vietnam from the U.S.?

The flight time from the U.S. to Vietnam ranges from 16 hours 20 minutes to around 37 hours depending on the place of departure and destination, number of layovers, and connection time (for one-stop and two-stop flights).

For instance, the average flight time from San Francisco (U.S.) to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 16 hours and 20 minutes for a direct flight. However, the flight time is around 30 hours for one-stop and two-stop flights.

Flight Time to Vietnam from the U.S. in Detail

Non-Stop Flight Time

You can now fly non-stop to Vietnam from the U.S. via the route from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City. The direct flight by Vietnam Airlines takes around 16 hours and 20 minutes on average. 

As of 2023, Vietnam Airlines, the first and only flag carrier flying directly to Vietnam from the U.S. and vice versa, operates one frequent flight per day on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The table below provides detailed information on the latest flight schedule from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City: 

Days of The Week	Departure Time	Arrival Time
Wednesday	10:10 PM	4:30 AM + 2 days
Thursday	10:10 PM	4:30 AM + 2 days
Saturday	10:10 PM	4:30 AM + 2 days
Sunday	10:10 PM	4:30 AM + 2 days

For an ultra-long-haul flight, you should have preparations for surviving over 16 hours in a sitting position. You should consider Vietnam Airlines’ exclusive Sky Sofa service, available at just USD 400/seat row/passenger. The service aims to make your journey even more delightful. 

>>> For more information, visit Sky Sofa: Comfort For Long Journeys.

Sky Sofa, served by Vietnam Airlines, is the perfect solution for you on a long-haul flight from the U.S. to Vietnam

One-Stop Flight Time

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are favored places where foreign visitors begin their exploration of Vietnam.

From the U.S. to Hanoi

The table below shows the average flight time from 5 cities in the U.S. to Hanoi.

Flight Route	Flight Time	Layover Time	Total Duration
San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi	18 hrs 20 mins	Ho Chi Minh City: 2 hrs 10 mins	20 hrs 30 mins
San Diego - Tokyo - Hanoi	17 hrs 5 mins	Tokyo: 1 hr 15 mins	18 hrs 20 mins
Los Angeles - Tokyo - Hanoi	17 hrs 05 mins	Tokyo: 2 hrs	19 hrs 05 mins
New York - Hong Kong - Hanoi	18 hrs 10 mins	Hong Kong: 2 hrs 50 mins	21 hrs
Boston - Hong Kong - Hanoi	17 hrs 20 mins	Hong Kong: 2 hrs 45 mins	20 hrs 5 mins

From the U.S. to Ho Chi Minh City

The table below shows the average flight time from 5 cities in the U.S. to Ho Chi Minh City.

Flight Route	Flight Time	Layover Time	Total Duration
San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh City	16 hrs 20 mins	-	16 hrs 20 mins
San Diego - Tokyo - Ho Chi Minh City	17 hrs 25 mins	Tokyo:  1 hr	18 hrs 25 mins
Los Angeles - Tokyo - Ho Chi Minh City	17 hrs 55 mins	Tokyo: 2 hrs 50 mins	20 hrs 35 mins
New York - Doha - Ho Chi Minh City	20 hrs 25 mins	Doha: 3 hrs	23 hrs 25 mins
Houston - Tokyo - Hanoi	20 hrs	Tokyo: 5 hrs 10 mins	25 hrs 10 mins

Note:

The flight duration mentioned above is subject to standard conditions. However, unforeseen circumstances such as airport congestion, technical issues, and other external factors could lead to changes in the schedule. 

To ensure accuracy before booking your flight ticket from the U.S. to Vietnam, it is recommended that you check the most up-to-date information on the airline’s official website.

Let’s fly with Vietnam Airlines on the journey to Vietnam from the U.S.

FAQs

How long does it take to fly from California to Vietnam?

The average flight time from California to Vietnam is around 18 hours for connecting flights. It is the flight from San Diego to Ho Chi Minh City with a layover in Tokyo.

How many hours does it take to fly from New York to Vietnam?

Typically, the travel time for flights from New York to Vietnam ranges from 21 to 24 hours, considering the layover destination and waiting duration.

Which is the shorter flight, to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?

The flight from the U.S. to Ho Chi Minh City is shorter than the flight to Hanoi. The flight time from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City is 16 hours 10 minutes, while the flight to Hanoi takes 20 hours 30 minutes.

How to buy a cheap flight ticket from the U.S. to Vietnam?

Here are 5 tips for finding cheap flights to Vietnam:

• Book mid-week flights: Be flexible with your travel dates. Mid-week flights tend to be cheaper than weekends.
• Plan and begin your search for flights well in advance: Typically, booking tickets in advance results in better prices than booking them close to the flight date.
• Register for fare alerts through different travel websites or airlines: These notifications will inform you of ticket price reductions or promotional offers.
• Compare prices: Utilize flight search engines to compare prices among various airlines and travel websites. Websites such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak are valuable resources for discovering the best deals.
• Take into account the option of connecting flights: While non-stop flights are typically more convenient, they can also be expensive. Connecting flights may present better deals for your consideration.