Vietnam Airlines (www.vietnamairlines.com.vn) has a monopoly on domestic flights, as it owns the only rival, Pacific Airlines ( www.pacificairline.com.vn ), which flies the Hanoi-HCMC route and the HCMC-Danang route.

Most travel agents do not charge any more than when you book directly with the airline. A passport is required to make a booking on all domestic flights.

Vietnam Airlines has come a long way and many (but not all) branch offices accer; credit cards for ticket purchases. The airline has retired its ancient Soviet-built fleet and purchased new Western-made aircraft. (See the Domestic Airline Schedules for routes available within Vietnam).

There's a helicopter charter service from Hanoi to Halong Bay. At present, Northern Airport Flight Service Company (tel.                04-827-4409        ; fax 827-2780; 173 Pho Truong Chinh, Hanoi) offers a helicopter charter service from Hanoi to Halong Bay on Saturday from 7.15am. The cost for the charter service is US$195 per person, but it only runs with a minimum of six guests. The same helicopters can be privately chartered for US$2000 an hour.

DOMESTIC AIRLINE SCHEDULES VIETNAM AIRLINES