Good deal for Hanoi with a 3-day stopover on the way

Hi everyone, I’m planning to go to Vietnam in 2026. Direct flights are super expensive, so I’m thinking of making a stopover to visit a city along the way. I’m considering Singapore/Bangkok/Hong Kong, but I’m open to other ideas. The goal is obviously also to get a better price than the direct flight from Paris (Brussels, etc.) to Hanoi. Anyone have a great tip? Thanks everyone

Hi there,

Price-wise, hotels will be much cheaper in Bangkok, while Singapore and Hong Kong are expensive even in the budget range. Most stopovers come with fees (including extra airport taxes), but you can handle this by booking your ticket directly with the airline—Thai Airways for Bangkok. Make sure to complete your arrival card 48 hours before departure: Thailand Digital Arrival Card: TDAC - สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงปารีส Give yourself at least 7 hours—it’s a 20-minute train ride underground to the city center. Also, keep an eye out for direct flights to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines from Paris; they sometimes have great deals.

Hi,

It all depends on when in 2026, since major airlines typically start selling their flights 11 months in advance. Chinese airlines often offer attractive fares. Google Flights is great for searching, and then you can book directly on the airline’s website.

If you really want to save money, a round-trip to Bangkok plus a low-cost flight to Vietnam could be worth considering. Plus, the cost of living there is quite reasonable.

In my opinion, the rule is still to buy tickets as early as possible. I just got back from Vietnam—booked in October (for a trip in July) to get reasonable prices... And I still found it expensive. We went via Hong Kong.

I think it’s doable, even if it’s a bit rushed since some agencies offer it.

Here’s an example I found with a quick Google search: https://senteursduvietnam.com/to_book/baie-dhalong-terrestre-maritime-4-jours-et-3-nuits/

You’ll have a hard time avoiding an agency because the schedule is extremely tight.

Hi, when do you want to leave? We can definitely help you find some good prices. Don’t forget to consider the number of stopovers and maximum flight hours.

Departure month | Round-trip price | Details --- | --- | --- February 2026 | 658 € | 2 weeks on site March 2026 | 641 € | 2 weeks on site April 2026 | 779 € | 2 weeks on site August 2026 | 849 € | 2 weeks on site Late July | 1,086 € | 1 week on site

+1 for Chinese airlines: possible stopover and visa-free entry in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai.

Guaranteed major change of scenery! !

Hey, did you check Malaysia Airlines? From Paris to Saigon, it was the cheapest I found—I’m not sure if they fly to Hanoi.

Hello,

with Malaysia Airlines? (...)I don’t know if they fly to Hanoi.

Yes, daily—flight MH752 outbound/753 return.

Hi, the copy-paste of the prices didn't work out too well. Paris/Hanoi round-trip economy:

February 2026 from 658 € March 2026 from 641 € April 2026 from 779 € August 2026 from 849 € And to finish, late July from 1,086 €