Airlines of Vietnam: the 2026 traveller's guide

Five carriers, 226 aircraft, domestic hops from $25 — Vietnam runs one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in all of Southeast Asia. For a first-time visitor, though, picking one can be a small puzzle: VietJet is a bare-bones low-cost airline that nickel-and-dimes you, Vietnam Airlines is a full-service flag carrier that costs more but includes everything, and Bamboo Airways — once the plucky third option — has shrunk to a handful of aircraft while it tries to rebuild.

This guide breaks down every airline: who flies where, what baggage really costs, how to check in online, and what passengers actually say in the reviews. If you just want the domestic-flight basics, skip to the comparison at the bottom; here we go carrier by carrier.

Which airlines fly in Vietnam

Five carriers split the domestic market, but two of them run it. Vietnam Airlines and VietJet are now neck and neck, roughly 42–43% each, and together they carry close to 90% of all passengers. The other three fight over the scraps.

In practice, for a traveller it comes down to two names: Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air. The first is a classic full-service carrier — meals and baggage already baked into the fare. The second is a textbook low-cost airline, with domestic tickets from 600,000 VND (~$24), but the base fare buys you nothing more than a seat and 7 kg of carry-on.

Vietnam Airlines — the flag carrier

Vietnam Airlines has been flying since 1956 and is still the only Vietnamese carrier in the global SkyTeam alliance — alongside Delta, Air France and Korean Air. For a fourth year running it holds a Skytrax 4-star rating, which puts it in the same bracket as British Airways and Emirates. Meals are hot and included, baggage is part of the fare, the crew speak fluent English, and even economy on the Boeing 787 has a personal screen and USB charging.

A practical plus for foreign travellers: the website and app work in English (and several other languages), so you can book, check in, pick a seat and order a special meal without any Vietnamese. Prices are shown in VND or your home currency, and a foreign Visa or Mastercard is accepted at checkout.

Fleet and routes

Long-haul routes run on wide-body Dreamliners (11 Boeing 787-9s and 5 of the stretched 787-10s) plus 14 Airbus A350-900s, out of a fleet of roughly 100 aircraft. Domestic hops use narrow-body Airbus A321neo and A320neo jets. The airline keeps adding 787s to grow its international network.

Cabin classes

Lotusmiles loyalty programme. Thanks to SkyTeam membership, Lotusmiles points also earn on Delta, Air France, Korean Air, KLM and other alliance partners. There are four tiers — Classic, Silver, Gold, Titanium. Silver gets you business-lounge access; Gold adds an extra bag and priority boarding.

International reach

Vietnam Airlines flies long-haul to Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt), East Asia (Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne) and across Southeast Asia, mostly on the Boeing 787-9. For many visitors the practical value is the connection: fly in on a partner airline, then continue to Da Nang, Phu Quoc or Nha Trang on a single Vietnam Airlines ticket so your bags transfer automatically through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

VietJet Air — Vietnam's biggest low-cost airline

VietJet was Vietnam's first private airline, launched in 2011. In under 15 years it drew level with the state flag carrier — each now holds about 42–43% of the domestic market — and became the country's largest low-cost airline. In December 2025 it took delivery of 22 new aircraft at once, the biggest fleet expansion in its history.

The model is textbook low-cost: a cheap base fare plus paid extras on top. The minimum fare gets you a seat and 7 kg of carry-on. Baggage, meals, seat selection and priority boarding are all add-ons.

This is the overview version. If you want the full breakdown of VietJet — every fare class, the SkyCafe menu, the real delay numbers and honest passenger reviews — read our dedicated VietJet Air review.

Fares and classes

SkyBoss is VietJet's signature tier. For about 1,800,000 VND (~$72) on a domestic flight you get lounge access, 30 kg of baggage, a hot meal, priority boarding and a leather seat with extra legroom.

On-board food (SkyCafe). The base fares (Promo, Eco) don't include food. Pre-ordering online is 10–20% cheaper than buying from the crew. The menu has banh mi (a Vietnamese sandwich), rice with chicken and noodles; drinks include ca phe sua (Vietnamese iced milk coffee), bubble tea and juice. Prices run from 50,000 VND (~$2) for a drink to 120,000–150,000 VND (~$5–6) for a hot dish. Note: on board the crew take cash in VND only — cards don't work.

Where VietJet flies

VietJet is built for the domestic grid and short-haul Asia. It connects every major Vietnamese city and flies across the region — Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei — often on wide-body Airbus A330-300s for the longer routes. If you're island-hopping the country on a budget, this is usually the cheapest way to do it.

On domestic routes VietJet leads on price: tickets from $25 on regular sales and from $6 during its "zero-dong" flash sales. A typical Ho Chi Minh City — Phu Quoc or Hanoi — Da Nang hop averages 800,000–1,500,000 VND (~$32–60) one way.

Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, Vietravel Airlines

Bamboo Airways — the 2025–2026 crisis

Back in 2023, Bamboo sold itself as a "hybrid" carrier: low-cost prices, full-service feel. Then it fell off a cliff. The fleet shrank from 30 aircraft to 7, the network from 81 destinations to 12 domestic ones, and every scheduled international flight was suspended.

The 2026 story is less grim than the headlines. Shareholders scrapped the old restructuring plan for a fresh 2026–2030 growth strategy, aiming to rebuild toward 20 and then 30 aircraft, and the founder has reopened talks with Boeing. On paper the airline is recovering. In practice, for a traveller it's still the riskiest of the five: the network is thin, and the odds of a cancelled or rescheduled flight are higher than with Vietnam Airlines or VietJet. Fine for a cheap domestic hop if you have slack in your plans; not where you'd pin a tight connection.

Pacific Airlines

The former Jetstar Pacific, fully bought out by Vietnam Airlines in 2020. It flies Airbus A320s on domestic routes and is effectively the flag carrier's budget arm, currently restructuring. If you spot a cheap fare, it's fine to fly — Vietnam Airlines stands behind it.

Vietravel Airlines

A niche carrier owned by Vietravel, Vietnam's largest tour operator. It flies a small Airbus A320/A321 fleet — four aircraft by mid-2026, with more on order — mostly on charter tourist flights. For an independent traveller it's still a non-starter: most seats are sold inside package tours rather than as standalone tickets.

Where the market is heading in 2026–2027

Vietnam Airlines is expanding — leasing new Boeing 787s and adding international frequencies. VietJet is growing aggressively: 22 new aircraft in December 2025, plus orders for 100 A321neos and 20 A330neos. The new Long Thanh airport near Ho Chi Minh City (opening 2026–2027) will become a fresh international hub for up to 100 million passengers a year.

Baggage and carry-on — the master table

Three things to remember:

1. Vietnam Airlines cut economy baggage in December 2025 — now 1 piece instead of two. A second suitcase costs extra.
2. VietJet's Promo fare has no checked baggage at all — just 7 kg carry-on. Add a bag when booking: 20 kg online is 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–16). At the airport it's $14/kg, which works out 15–20 times more.
3. Durian is banned in the cabin on every Vietnamese airline because of the smell. Mango, rambutan and dragon fruit are fine in checked baggage — seal them in a plastic container.

Online check-in — step by step

VietJet Air

Check-in opens 24 hours before and closes 60 minutes before departure.

1. Go to vietjetair.com and find the Check-In tab on the home page.
2. Enter your booking code (6 characters from the confirmation email) and your surname.
3. Tap Search — the system shows your flight.
4. Select the flight, tap Online Check In and tick the passengers.
5. Read the terms, tick the box and tap Proceed to check-in.
6. Download the boarding pass as a PDF or send it to your email.

The site runs in English (switcher at the top right). The VietJet Air app (iOS/Android) also supports online check-in.

Vietnam Airlines

1. Go to vietnamairlines.com and open Online check-in.
2. Enter your booking code or e-ticket number plus surname.
3. Choose a seat — an interactive cabin map is available.
4. Get the boarding pass by email or in the app.

Check-in opens 24 hours before departure. The Vietnam Airlines app is fully available in English.

If you miss online check-in

No drama — you can still check in at the airport counter:

• Vietnam Airlines — counters open 3 hours before and close 40 minutes before departure.
• VietJet — counters close 40–50 minutes before departure. For charters, arrive 3 hours ahead.

Aircraft and cabin layout

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (Vietnam Airlines)

The main aircraft on international routes. Layout: 28 lie-flat business seats, 35 in premium economy, 211 in economy.

Best economy rows: 30–31 (by the exit, extra room). Worst: 43–44 (last rows, seatbacks fixed, next to the toilets). In business, all 28 seats have direct aisle access.

Airbus A321neo (VietJet Air)

The workhorse of domestic flights. Around 230 economy seats, with a standard low-cost pitch of 29 inches (74 cm). SkyBoss and Business get front rows with leather seats and a roomier 34-inch (86 cm) pitch.

Airbus A330-300 (VietJet Air)

Used on longer international routes. Wider than the A321, with a 2-4-2 layout. Standard economy has no seatback entertainment — no screens, Wi-Fi or power outlets. The SkyBoss zone does have screens.

Passenger reviews: what people say

Vietnam Airlines

Skytrax rates it 4 stars out of 5 — a fourth year in a row. 85% of criteria sit at four-star level or above.

The complaints: flight delays in the rainy season, long waits at the baggage belt, and a slow, painful process to claim compensation for delays.

VietJet Air

Reviews land where you'd expect for a low-cost airline: passengers love the fares (domestic from around $8 in a sale) and the young fleet, and grumble about the 2–4-hour delays, cash-only VND meals and tight 29-inch (74 cm) seats. On-time performance slipped to around 74% in early 2026, so reliability is the price you pay for the price. If you want the numbers in full — score-by-score ratings, real passenger quotes and the fare-by-fare cost — see our VietJet Air review.

Vietnam Airlines or VietJet — which to choose

Which airline is best for Vietnam? For most trips it comes down to two: Vietnam Airlines, the full-service flag carrier with meals and 23 kg of baggage baked into the fare and the more reliable schedule; or VietJet, the low-cost airline that's 2–3 times cheaper if you fly light and can absorb the odd delay. Big suitcase or tight connection, take Vietnam Airlines. Hand luggage and a flexible plan, take VietJet.

Choose Vietnam Airlines if:

• You're flying international and want it seamless
• You're carrying a lot of baggage
• Comfort on a long flight matters
• You'd rather not juggle add-on fees

Choose VietJet if:

• You're flying within Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City — Phu Quoc, Hanoi — Da Nang)
• You travel light (a backpack under 7 kg)
• You want to save (50–70% cheaper on domestic hops)
• You're happy to buy baggage online in advance

A worked example: crossing the country

Common mistakes flying around Vietnam

1. Buying baggage at the VietJet airport counter. The most expensive mistake. At $14/kg, a 20 kg bag can hit around $280. Add it during booking and it's 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–16) — a 15–20× difference.

2. Assuming a hot meal on VietJet. Food is paid and, on board, cash-only in VND. Pre-order online, or carry your own snack and some dong.

3. Cutting it fine on VietJet check-in. Online closes 60 minutes out, the counter 40–50 minutes out. VietJet domestic flights often leave from far terminals — arrive 2 hours ahead even for a short hop.

4. Counting on a transfer between different airlines. Two separate tickets (Vietnam Airlines + VietJet) means bags are not through-checked. Allow at least 3 hours to re-clear and re-drop.

5. Not weighing your carry-on for VietJet. VietJet weighs bags at the counter and the gate. Over 7 kg and it goes in the hold at $14/kg. Weigh your backpack at the hotel before you leave.

6. Ignoring time zones. Vietnam is UTC+7. Don't book an onward flight 2 hours after landing internationally — immigration and baggage take at least an hour.

7. Forgetting the rainy season. From September to December, typhoons are possible. VietJet is especially prone to delays — it keeps no spare aircraft on standby. Have a plan B.

8. The "cheap ticket" trap. VietJet shows the fare without baggage. Always total the real cost: ticket + 20 kg bag + seat selection. It often creeps up close to Vietnam Airlines.

How to buy tickets and useful links

Official sites

Paying as a foreigner

A foreign Visa or Mastercard usually works on the official sites, but the odd card gets declined. Reliable options:

• Booking aggregators — Traveloka, Trip.com, Agoda, Google Flights — often smoother than the airline's own checkout.
• PayPal — accepted on some flows if a card fails.
• The airport counter in Vietnam — pay for domestic flights in cash (VND).
• A hotel or local travel agent — happy to book domestic tickets for a small fee if you'd rather not deal with it.

When it's cheapest to buy

Domestic VietJet flights are cheapest 2–3 months out, with sales on Tuesdays and Thursdays. International flights: buy 2–4 months ahead. Peak prices hit November–January and June–August. The cheapest months are March–May and September–October.

Money-saving tips

• Flexible dates — shifting by 1–2 days saves 20–30%. Use the fare calendar on Google Flights or Skyscanner.
• One airline on connections — bags are through-checked automatically.
• Onward ticket — Vietnam doesn't formally require proof of onward travel, but an airline may refuse boarding without it. A cheap $25 VietJet hop to Bangkok or Singapore covers you.

FAQ — common questions about Vietnamese airlines

What meals do Vietnamese airlines serve?

Vietnam Airlines includes a hot meal on every flight — rice with chicken or noodles, a bread roll, fruit, juice; two meals on the Boeing 787. VietJet charges for food; order it when booking or on board (VND only). You're free to bring your own.

Is Vietnam Airlines the same as VietJet?

A common mix-up. "Vietnamese airlines" is just a loose label. Vietnam Airlines (code VN) is the flag carrier. VietJet Air (code VJ) is a private low-cost airline. Two completely different companies with different service and prices.

How do I pay for a VietJet ticket as a foreigner?

A foreign Visa or Mastercard usually works. If it's declined, book through an aggregator (Traveloka, Trip.com), try PayPal, or buy domestic tickets at the airport counter in cash (VND).

Can I bring fruit?

Yes, most fruit is allowed in checked baggage. Durian is banned in the cabin because of the smell. Mango, rambutan and dragon fruit are fine — pack them in a sealed plastic container.

Is a layover in Hanoi difficult?

Noi Bai Airport is compact. T1 and T2 are linked by a shuttle walkway. On a single Vietnam Airlines ticket your bags transfer automatically. Allow a minimum of 2 hours.

Is it safe to fly?

Both Vietnam Airlines and VietJet hold the top 7-out-of-7 safety rating on AirlineRatings and made its 2026 safest-airlines list. Vietnam Airlines adds 4 Skytrax stars; VietJet is a 3-star low-cost carrier. The fleets are new — Vietnam Airlines averages about 6 years, VietJet under 4.

Can I fly VietJet with a child?

Yes, children of all ages. Infants under 2 travel on a lap (state it when booking). Strollers are checked at the gate for free. On the Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 you can request a bassinet for front-row seats.

Do I need an onward ticket to board?

Formally VietJet may ask for proof you'll leave Vietnam. If you don't have a return, buy a cheap $25 hop through Traveloka.

Which foreign airlines fly to Vietnam?

Plenty. Da Nang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are well connected by regional and long-haul carriers — Singapore Airlines and Scoot, Thai Airways and AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Japan Airlines and ANA, Qatar Airways and Emirates from the Gulf, plus Qantas and Jetstar from Australia. For flying around Vietnam, though, you'll almost always be on a Vietnamese carrier — the domestic network is theirs.

Information current as of July 2026. Prices and schedules change — confirm on vietnamairlines.com and vietjetair.com before you book.