Oneworld member Japan Airlines (JAL) offers an amazing oneway fare for flights from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City, selling tickets for as little as €331 (~US$388) with a change of planes. in Tokyo. A checked bag of 23 kg is included in this fare.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates for less than €350 (~US$410). It will forward you to our flight search or Momondo with your selected flight dates.
On most days, you have the opportunity to choose between changing planes in Narita (which doesn’t leave enough time to leave the airport) or connecting in Haneda. The latter option gives you the chance to get a brief glimpse of Tokyo. JAL uses Boeing 787 aircraft to Narita and Boeing 777 aircraft to Tokyo. Both offer a 3-3-3 seating and a generous 84 cm seat pitch.
The six-hour flights to Vietnam are Boeing 787 services in JAL’s regional cabin layout, decreasing the seat pitch to 79 cm. You should make sure flights across the Pacific Ocean are operated by Japan Airlines. American Airlines also handles some of these routes, but their cabin product is vastly inferior.
Search & Book
The fare rules don’t offer a sales period for this deal. You can find these tickets for departures between September 2023 and January 2024.
Google Flights helps you find additional flight dates. We recommend purchasing your tickets directly from the airline, even though online travel agencies sell them up to €30 cheaper.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
JAL issues these tickets in booking class O. Oneworld frequent flyers can earn the following mileage:
- 3,919 Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 2,351 Avios + 29 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 2,351 Miles on American AAdvantage
- 2,351 Points on Finnair Plus
- 2,351 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
- 2,351 Award Miles on Bangkok Airways FlyerBonus
- 2,351 Award Miles on LATAM Pass
- 2,351 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 1,959 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 1,959 Points + 10 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 1,959 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 1,959 Avios + 313 Tier Points on The British Airways Club
- 1,959 Avios + 300 Elite Points on Iberia Plus 2025
- 1,567 Award Miles on Flying Blue
- Customize Calculation
Destination
Hotel prices in Ho Chi Minh City usually start at roughly €20, depending on the hotel category. Whichever category and hotel you opt for, make sure to get the best price! Our recommendation is to search on booking.com, or even on our own Travel-Dealz hotel search:
Information & Tips for Vietnam
Vietnam offers a mix of vibrant cities, historic landmarks, and natural beauty—popular sights include Ha Long Bay, the old town of Hoi An, the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi’s colonial architecture. The official currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND), and while prices are generally low compared to Western standards, tourist hotspots can be more expensive. Expect a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and a rainy season that varies by region—so packing accordingly is key.
Vietnam’s transport infrastructure is mixed—within cities, getting around is relatively easy thanks to widespread motorbike taxis and ride-hailing apps, though traffic can be chaotic and sidewalks crowded. Public buses exist but are often confusing for tourists. Between cities, options include budget airlines, trains, and long-distance buses; while not always fast or punctual, they are generally affordable and accessible with some planning.
→ All Dealz for Vietnam