Children studying abroad return home for summer and Tet holidays: ticket planning and schedule

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

When children study abroad and return home for summer break, Tet is the time the whole family looks forward to the most of the year, but it is also the time when air tickets are scarce and most expensive. A good ticket plan and schedule helps families save significantly, children return on schedule, and return to school safely with all documents. This article guides parents on how to choose the right time to book tickets, the right type of ticket, a reasonable schedule, and what documents your child needs to check before leaving.

Should I send my children back home during the summer or Tet?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for every family. A few factors to consider:

• School schedule: Lunar New Year often falls in the middle of the semester in many countries (USA, UK, Canada, Europe), so it is difficult for children to take long breaks; In Australia, summer vacation (December - February) coincides with Tet.
• Study and internship plans: Summer vacation is an opportunity to practice, make up for work, and work part-time - sometimes more valuable than a trip back home.
• Cost: peak tickets can be much more expensive than weekdays.
• Psychology: for first-year students, a trip home helps them "recharge their energy".

Many families choose this option: every year the children return for the summer, they stay for Tet (or the parents come to visit - see Parents visit their children studying abroad).

Time to book tickets for your child to study abroad and return home

As soon as the school announces the semester schedule (final exam date, new semester start date), finalize your flight date. Don't book your return trip too close to the start date - there should be 3-5 days left for your child to rest time zone difference and in case of flight delays or cancellations. Detailed Tet ticket hunting experience is in the article Air tickets to Tet for international students.

Choose the appropriate ticket type and itinerary

Round trip from abroad or from Vietnam?

Round-trip tickets usually come from where your child is studying (going to Vietnam and then coming back). Depending on the market, sometimes buying a round-trip ticket from Vietnam or two one-way tickets is a better deal – so ask an agent to compare all three options. See analysis in the article one-way or round-trip tickets.

Conditions for changing and refunding tickets

The exam schedule may change, and your child may be invited for an unexpected internship. Flexible rescheduling tickets are often worth more than the small difference compared to non-refundable non-exchangeable tickets.

Luggage

On the trip back to school, children often bring a lot of food, clothes, and books - choose a ticket with enough checked baggage or buy more in advance. Note the regulations prohibiting bringing meat, meat products, and fresh fruit into many countries. See international checked baggage.

Transit

Priority is given to connecting flights with reasonable duration, not passing through countries requiring transit visas with Vietnamese passports. Reference first transit flight.

Children's documents need to be checked before returning home

This is the most important part – missing documents can prevent your child from returning to school on time:

• Passport: valid long enough as required when re-entering the country.
• Visa/residence permit: valid for the next entry. If the visa (stamp in the passport) has expired even though the residence status is still valid, your child may have to apply for a new visa in Vietnam - need to schedule early.
• School documents: for example, for US international students with F-1 status, according to the Study in the States guidelines of the US Department of Homeland Security, the I-20 form needs to have a travel signature of the officer in charge (DSO) within 1 year, a SEVIS record in active status, a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of re-entry, and should not leave the US for more than 5 months.
• Other countries: check residence card requirements (BRP/eVisa in the UK, study permit and entry visa in Canada...) before leaving.

All important documents must be kept in hand luggage, not checked. Full list in article Documents needed to carry with you when flying to study abroad.

Plan a reasonable vacation schedule in Vietnam

• First week: let your child rest and regain their biological rhythm after a long flight.
• Things to do: health check, dental check-up, glass replacement, renewing documents - take advantage because costs in Vietnam are often lower.
• Family time: plan to visit relatives, take a short trip together.
• Career connections: during the summer you can participate in a short internship in Vietnam - a useful experience for your CV.
• Last week: prepare luggage, check documents, reconfirm flights.

Vé Du Học có 30+ Booker săn vé đa hãng cho mùa cao điểm Tết và hè, tiếp tục theo dõi giá kể cả khi đang cao – nếu tìm được giá tốt hơn sau khi gia đình đã thanh toán, HVSC chuyển khoản hoàn lại tiền chênh lệch. Chúng tôi tối ưu hành lý ký gửi 40kg hoặc 2 kiện 23kg, kiểm tra visa quá cảnh, báo tin chuyến bay cho phụ huynh qua Zalo và hỗ trợ 24/7. Đặt vé tại trang ticket back home.

Frequently asked questions

When should I book Tet tickets for my child?

Ideally 3–5 months before Tet, as soon as you know the exam schedule and school holidays. The closer to Tet, the lower the good ticket prices.

My student visa has expired but I am still studying, can I return home?

You can return, but to return you may need to apply for a new visa in Vietnam (depending on the country). Please check with your school's international student office before booking.

Should I buy a round-trip ticket or two one-way tickets?

Depends on route and time. Compare both round-trip tickets originating from abroad, from Vietnam and two one-way tickets; Pay attention to the conditions for changing tickets.

Will I be fined if I bring food from Vietnam?

Many countries ban or limit meat, meat products, eggs, and fresh fruit. Labeled packaged dry goods are usually allowed but must still be truthfully declared upon entry.

An early ticket plan and complete paperwork help make your child's vacation full of joy. Contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918 to get advice on return tickets for your child.

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