New air links between central Vietnam and South Korea are quietly, but steadily, reshaping travel options for both Korean visitors and international travelers who want to combine Seoul or Busan with the imperial city of Hue. While Phu Bai International Airport does not yet have year-round scheduled nonstops to Seoul or Busan, the growth of charter flights and dense one-stop connections through Hanoi and other hubs means the Hue region is more accessible than ever from South Korea. Here is what travelers need to know about the evolving air routes and how to make the most of them.

How Hue and South Korea Became More Closely Connected

For years, travelers heading from South Korea to Hue had little choice but to route through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. That began to change in mid-2023, when authorities in Thua Thien Hue Province partnered with Vietjet and Korean tour operators to test direct charter flights between Hue’s Phu Bai International Airport and Seoul’s Incheon International Airport. The first charter, using a Vietjet A321, departed Phu Bai late on July 31 and arrived in Seoul in the early hours of August 1, carrying a mix of local residents, tourists and an official delegation promoting Hue’s cultural heritage in the Korean market.

This inaugural charter marked an important milestone for the newly expanded passenger terminal at Phu Bai. It signaled that Hue was ready to compete with Da Nang and Nha Trang for Korean visitors, who are now among Vietnam’s most valuable source markets. The opening of the new terminal gave airlines the infrastructure they need to handle regular international services, and the Hue authorities quickly identified South Korea as the top priority for new routes.

Since then, charter services between Hue and Seoul have continued to operate selectively, often tied to peak holiday periods and group tour programs. While they do not yet appear in regular global distribution systems in the same way as scheduled flights, these charters show that there is enough demand to fill direct planes when the timing and packages are right. For independent travelers, the most reliable options remain one-stop connections, but the presence of charters hints at a future where direct flights may become seasonal or even year-round.

On most dates, travelers flying between Hue and South Korea will connect via another Vietnamese airport rather than fly nonstop. From Phu Bai International Airport, the main northbound hub is Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, with additional connections via Ho Chi Minh City depending on schedules and fares. Large Vietnamese carriers and low-cost airlines use these hubs to funnel passengers on to Seoul and Busan.

Between Hue and Seoul, recent timetables show no daily nonstops, but a healthy supply of connecting services. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the most active operators, each offering dozens of weekly itineraries that link Hue with Incheon via Hanoi. Typical routings involve an evening departure from Hue to Hanoi followed by a late-night or overnight flight onward to Seoul, giving total travel times in the range of nine hours including layover. This pattern allows travelers to arrive in Korea early in the morning, which can be convenient for onward domestic transfers or same-day hotel check-in.

The Hue–Busan market follows a similar pattern. There are currently no nonstop flights between Phu Bai and Busan’s Gimhae International Airport, but several combinations of Vietnam Airlines and Korean Air, along with Vietjet options, make the one-stop trip via Hanoi straightforward. Published schedules indicate around a dozen or more weekly one-stop itineraries between Hue and Busan, with total journey times usually around seven and a half hours door to door. Flight pairs are often timed so that travelers can depart Hue in the evening, spend a short connection in Hanoi, and arrive in Busan before dawn.

While this connecting model may not be as simple as a point-to-point route, the density of flights from Vietnamese hubs to Seoul and Busan compensates for the lack of direct services from Hue. It also creates flexibility: travelers can mix and match carriers, choose different cabins on each leg, and sometimes secure attractive fares by flying into one Korean city and out of another.

Charter Flights and Seasonal Operations: What Travelers Should Expect

In addition to the regular one-stop network, charter flights play a key role in linking Hue and South Korea. These flights are usually arranged by tour operators and local authorities, using aircraft and crews from airlines such as Vietjet. They may appear only for a limited series of dates, often to coincide with peak Korean holiday seasons, promotional campaigns or special cultural events.

The inaugural August 2023 charter from Incheon to Hue set the template. Tour organizers packaged round-trip flights with hotel stays in the Hue area, excursions to the imperial citadel and royal tombs, and sometimes side trips to Hoi An or Da Nang. On the outbound leg, local delegations from Thua Thien Hue used the opportunity to stage tourism promotion events in Seoul and other Korean cities, laying the groundwork for future demand.

For individual travelers, accessing these charters can be more complicated than booking regular commercial services. Seats are often sold primarily as part of full tour packages rather than as standalone tickets, and information may be available mainly in Korean through local agencies. However, the very existence of these flights is significant. They demonstrate that there is strong group demand that could justify more regular nonstops in the future, particularly on the Hue–Seoul axis.

Looking ahead, travelers should expect continued experimentation with charters and possibly seasonal scheduled flights as demand patterns become clearer. The local tourism authorities in Hue have stated repeatedly that South Korea is a strategic market, and the strong performance of direct routes between Korean cities and other Vietnamese destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc offers a playbook that Hue is keen to adapt.

Why Hue Matters to Korean Travelers

The push to strengthen air routes between Phu Bai and South Korea is not just about connectivity; it reflects a broader shift in what Korean visitors are looking for in Vietnam. For many years, Da Nang and Nha Trang have been the default beach-and-golf choices, with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi catering to urban and business travel. Hue, by contrast, offers a slower, more cultural experience centered on its status as Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

Korean travelers are increasingly drawn to historical sites, food culture and authentic local experiences beyond the classic resort strip. Hue’s UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments, with its citadel, palaces and tombs set along the Perfume River, appeals to visitors interested in history and architecture. The city’s distinctive royal cuisine, with elaborately presented dishes and a focus on local ingredients, adds a culinary dimension that differentiates it from other Vietnamese destinations.

At the same time, Hue’s coastal area is developing quickly, with modern resorts lining nearby beaches such as Thuan An and Lang Co. This combination of culture and coast is especially attractive to Korean families and small groups who want variety without long transfers. Strengthening air links to Seoul and Busan gives these travelers a direct gateway to central Vietnam, cutting down on domestic transit times and making short breaks more practical.

For South Korean tour operators, Hue also offers an opportunity to refresh their Vietnam packages. Many Korean visitors are repeat travelers who have already visited Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City. Adding Hue-focused itineraries, or twin-center trips that combine Hue with Da Nang or Hoi An, allows agencies to market something new while relying on the same air, hotel and ground-handling infrastructure they already know.

Planning Your Journey: Routes, Timing and Practical Tips

When planning a trip between Hue and South Korea, the first decision is whether to prioritize nonstop convenience or scheduling flexibility. As of early 2026, true nonstops between Phu Bai and Korean airports are limited to occasional charters. Most travelers will book one-stop routes via Hanoi or, less commonly, via Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang, depending on airline and fare.

For Seoul-bound trips, connecting through Hanoi is usually the most straightforward. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet both operate multiple daily flights from Hue to Hanoi, allowing for same-day onward connections to Incheon. Travelers should check minimum connection times and aim for layovers of at least two to three hours to allow for any delays and terminal transfers. Because many long-haul Seoul flights leave late at night, evening departures from Hue can line up neatly with overnight legs to Korea, maximizing vacation time at the destination.

For Busan, schedules tend to be more concentrated around specific departure waves from Hanoi to Gimhae. Early booking can help secure the best itineraries, especially during peak periods such as Korean school holidays, Lunar New Year and summer vacation. It is also worth considering open-jaw options: for example, flying Hue–Seoul and returning Busan–Hue, or vice versa, particularly if you plan to travel within Korea by train or domestic flight.

Travelers should also monitor seasonal variations. The central Vietnamese coast, including Hue, experiences a wet season typically from around September to December, with a greater chance of storms and flight disruptions. While modern aircraft and airports are well equipped to handle most weather, itineraries during this period should build in some flexibility, especially for tight international connections. Conversely, the drier months from roughly January to August usually offer more reliable conditions and may coincide with promotional fares targeting South Korean visitors.

Inside Phu Bai International Airport’s New Era

Phu Bai International Airport has undergone significant expansion and modernization in recent years, positioning it to handle more international traffic, including flights to and from South Korea. The new passenger terminal, which welcomed its first charter from Incheon in 2023, offers improved check-in areas, security lanes and passenger amenities compared with the older facilities.

From an international traveler’s perspective, the upgraded airport experience is central to Hue’s ambitions. Short, efficient transfers from aircraft to baggage claim and out to ground transportation help ensure that the city’s first impression is a positive one. The terminal layout is straightforward, with domestic and international flows clearly separated, which simplifies connections for those arriving from Seoul or Busan via Hanoi and then continuing onward to Hue.

Ground transport from Phu Bai to Hue city centre typically takes around 30 to 40 minutes by car or shuttle, depending on traffic. Many hotels and tour operators arrange private transfers, particularly for Korean group arrivals. Taxi and ride-hailing options are also available, with prices that are generally lower than in larger Vietnamese cities. For travelers booking charter packages from South Korea, airport transfers are often bundled into the overall tour cost, eliminating the need to organize transport independently.

The airport’s expansion is ongoing, with provincial authorities and national agencies emphasizing the goal of making Hue a genuine international gateway for central Vietnam. As direct South Korean routes grow, travelers can expect further incremental improvements, including more Korean-language signage, enhanced duty-free offerings and additional lounge facilities catering to international passengers.

Looking Ahead: Prospects for New Routes and Increased Frequencies

The broader context for Hue–South Korea air links is the rapid growth of Vietnamese tourism from Korean cities. Airlines such as Vietjet, Jeju Air, Eastar Jet and others have been expanding their Vietnam networks aggressively, already linking Seoul and Busan with destinations like Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc on a nonstop basis. These successes provide a strong business case for adding Hue as the next step, once demand and airport capacity align.

Local tourism authorities in Thua Thien Hue have been clear about their ambitions. They view South Korea as a key source market that can support both cultural and coastal tourism year-round. The positive response to early charter flights, combined with the strong performance of Korean arrivals elsewhere in Vietnam, suggests that it is a matter of when, not if, more robust direct services between Phu Bai and Korean airports will materialize.

For airlines, the decision will hinge on aircraft availability, slot constraints at Korean airports and the relative profitability of competing routes. Low-cost carriers, in particular, tend to launch new international services as part of broader seasonal strategies, rotating aircraft between beach destinations, festival cities and secondary markets. If Hue can continue to build brand recognition in Korea and demonstrate consistent hotel and ground-service quality for Korean guests, it is well placed to secure a place on the seasonal route maps.

Travelers considering trips over the next few years should keep an eye on announcements from both Vietnamese and Korean airlines, as well as statements from provincial tourism bodies. When new direct routes are launched, promotional fares often appear in the first months of operation, rewarding early adopters with attractive prices and convenient schedules.

Practical Advice for Travelers Using the Hue–Korea Corridor

For now, the most practical way to fly between Hue and South Korea is to treat the journey as a two-step process. First, choose the domestic leg that best fits your schedule from Hue to a Vietnamese hub, most likely Hanoi. Second, select an onward nonstop to either Seoul or Busan on a reputable carrier, paying attention to total journey time and layover length. Booking both legs on the same ticket, ideally with the same airline or alliance, offers added protection in case of delays.

Travelers should also consider luggage policies, as low-cost carriers on the domestic leg may have stricter baggage rules than full-service airlines on the international segment. Checking in through to your final destination, when possible, simplifies the experience and reduces the risk of missed connections. It is worth confirming at the check-in counter in Hue whether your bags will be tagged to Seoul or Busan or whether you will need to collect and recheck them in Hanoi.

Language support is improving as more Korean visitors arrive in Hue, but English remains the main bridge language at airports and hotels. Many larger properties, particularly those that work with Korean tour operators, employ Korean-speaking staff or provide Korean-language information materials. In smaller establishments, simple English phrases or translation apps usually suffice, and staff are generally eager to help.

Ultimately, the evolving air routes between Hue and South Korea reflect a deeper trend: the growing appetite for more varied, culturally rich travel experiences on both sides. As Phu Bai’s role as a regional gateway expands and airlines experiment with new services, travelers willing to navigate a mix of charters and one-stop connections are already reaping the rewards, discovering that the distance between the palaces of Hue and the skyline of Seoul or the seaside charm of Busan is shorter than ever before.