Vietnamese travelers stranded as flights delayed amid Middle East conflict

Passengers confirmed on Thursday that operations at Hamad International Airport in Doha had returned to normal.

However, days earlier, many had experienced delays of up to 35 hours due to the temporary closure of Qatari airspace.

Quy Thieu, a Vietnamese residing in Berlin, shared that his 16-hour flight from Germany to Ho Chi Minh City via Doha turned into a nearly 50-hour ordeal.

"When Qatar closed its airspace, the flight information boards lit up with 'delay' and 'cancel' signs, leaving everyone confused and exhausted," he said.

Regional media reported that the escalating conflict in the Middle East had forced international airlines to reroute, postpone, or cancel flights.

A representative of a Vietnamese airline noted that the number of transit passengers through hubs like Doha and Dubai dropped sharply, with some routes reaching only 50 percent of the usual volume.

Another passenger, Le Ha, who flew from Europe to Vietnam, said her QR970 flight from Doha to Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday landed at 2:42 pm, 52 minutes behind schedule.

The delay was likely caused by a late arrival of the aircraft from a prior route.

Fortunately, all baggage was delivered without incident, Ha said.

Having traveled through Doha 12 times this year, Ha added that the situation has largely stabilized, with only a few groups of stranded passengers still awaiting support.

"As long as passengers have a clear itinerary, they can travel with confidence—unless new disruptions arise," she said.

In its message to Vietnamese ticketing agents, Qatar Airways confirmed that most flights to and from Doha had resumed.

However, travelers are advised to regularly check for updates from both the airline and airports, as unexpected changes could still occur due to the volatile situation.

To minimize disruption due to flight delays and cancelations, Qatar Airways has increased ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other major hubs.

Nonetheless, the airline warned of potential continued delays or route changes as operations normalize.