Open-Jaw Flights to Vietnam: Pricing and Booking
Pricing a multi-city ticket for a Vietnam trip: compare it fairly and read the fare rules first.
An open-jaw ticket (flying into one city and home from another) is priced section by section, so there is no standard answer. Price it three ways, compare the real totals and read the fare rules before you pay. This keeps a clever routing from turning into an expensive one.
What are your three pricing options?
Use the same dates and the same passengers for each.
| Option | What you buy | Main strength | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain return | Out and back via one city | Simplest, easy to compare | May force a backtrack |
| Open-jaw or multi-city | One ticket, two cities | Saves a backtrack, one booking | Fare rules can be strict |
| Two one-way tickets | Two separate bookings | Mix airlines, sometimes lower | No cover if one flight slips |
Then add the domestic flight between your cities if the quote does not already include it. Our guide on choosing arrival and departure cities helps you decide whether the routing is worth it.
Which Malaysian airports make this easier?
Kuala Lumpur gives you the widest choice of routes. KLIA lists Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese cities1. Ho Chi Minh City is also listed with Malaysia Airlines, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines and AirAsia to Kuala Lumpur2.
From Penang, Ho Chi Minh City is the only listed Vietnam destination3. The same is true of Johor Bahru4. If you start there, an open-jaw out of Hanoi may need a connection in KL, which changes the price and the risk.
Which fare rules should you check?
Ask or read these before you pay.
- What happens to later flights if you miss an earlier one.
- Whether you may change dates, and what each change costs.
- The baggage allowance on each flight, not just the first.
- Whether the name on the ticket must match your passport exactly.
- Whether the fare is refundable, and in what form.
- Who looks after you if the two flights are with different airlines.
What if you buy a private tour?
If you are asking an agency for a quote, ask it to show every flight, including the domestic one, with times and baggage. Our guide on what to include in a package enquiry has the full list. The package inclusion comparator puts two quotes side by side.
How do you see the true total?
Enter each option into the trip budget builder with today’s quotes. Fares move by season, so we do not print figures. For the wider picture, visit the Flying from Malaysia hub.
Send us your preferred cities and dates, and we can help you set up a fair side-by-side comparison of a plain return, an open-jaw and two one-ways.
Common questions
How is an open-jaw ticket priced?
The airline prices each section under its own fare rules and adds them up, so the total can sit close to a return or well above it. There is no fixed rule. The only reliable way to know is to ask for the open-jaw quote and compare it with your alternatives.
Is it cheaper to book two one-way tickets?
Sometimes, particularly on low-cost airlines that price each flight separately. But two one-ways usually mean two bookings, with separate baggage rules and no protection if one is delayed. Add those costs and risks before you call it a saving.
What happens if I miss the first leg?
On some multi-city fares, skipping an early leg can cancel the rest of the ticket. Ask the airline in writing before you book, and never assume that you can skip a section and still use the later ones. This single check can save the whole trip.
Can a travel agency book an open-jaw ticket for me?
Yes. A licensed agency can price multi-city fares and can include the domestic flight between your cities in one quote. Ask the quote to list each flight, the baggage allowance on each and who is responsible if a flight changes.
Sources
- KLIA destinations in Vietnam listed include Da Lat, Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc (page truncated, list may be incomplete). Wikipedia
- Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat to Kuala Lumpur is listed as served by Malaysia Airlines, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines and AirAsia. Wikipedia
- Penang International Airport lists Ho Chi Minh City as its only Vietnam destination, served by AirAsia. Wikipedia. No Penang to Hanoi or Da Nang listed.
- Senai International Airport (Johor Bahru) lists Ho Chi Minh City as its only Vietnam destination, served by AirAsia. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Send us your preferred cities and dates, and we can help you set up a fair side-by-side comparison of a plain return, an open-jaw and two one-ways.