Vietnam Airlines (VN) is Vietnam’s flag carrier and largest airline, connecting travelers across Asia, Australia, Europe and North America from its hubs in Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Da Nang (DAD). The airline operates hundreds of routes, from long-haul international flights to an extensive domestic network within Vietnam. I’ve been flying with Vietnam Airlines for years as I’ve explored Vietnam, and I’m excited to share some insights with you.
Cabin class, seats & legroom
Vietnam Airlines offers business, premium economy, and economy cabins, but the experience can vary a lot depending on the plane. Here’s the breakdown so you know exactly what you’re booking.
Business class
On long-haul Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, Vietnam Airlines offers lie-flat seats with a unique staggered layout ensuring direct aisle access for everyone. The seats are comfortable, if not cutting-edge. I personally prefer the 787 aircraft, where the staggered herringbone seats face away from the aisle and provide great privacy no matter which seat you choose.
If you’re flying solo on the A350, grab an even-numbered window seat. The side table acts as a buffer from the aisle, creating a nice little cocoon.
No matter which plane you’re on, the food and service are a highlight. I always go for the Vietnamese option, especially when flying out of Vietnam. In-flight pho for the win.
Just a heads-up: some shorter routes to places like Japan and Korea use these long-haul planes, but the meal service won’t be as extensive as on a flight to the US or Europe.
For domestic flights or short-haul trips on an A320 or A321, business class is more like domestic first class in the US with wider recliner seats.
The meal service is still surprisingly thorough, though, with a few entree choices and a full bar.
Premium economy
Vietnam Airlines offers Premium Economy on A350 and 787 aircraft, as well as on domestic flights using A320 and A321 aircraft, featuring roomy recliner seats.
It’s a nice splurge if you want more space and better food and drink without paying for business class. On domestic A320 and A321 flights, Premium Economy uses designated rows at the front of the economy cabin.
Note that on some shorter A350 routes, Vietnam Airlines may not sell Premium Economy as a separate cabin. Rather, it’s simply considered extra legroom, meaning that passengers won’t enjoy the enhanced food and beverage service they would on medium- and long-haul flights, It’s just a bigger seat.
Economy class
Even if you’re not at the pointy end of the plane, economy on Vietnam Airlines is perfectly fine. The service has that signature Vietnamese warmth, and the meals combine Vietnamese and international cuisines.
If you want more space, you can pay to upgrade your seat. The “priority” seats in the first few rows of economy are my top choice–they’re in a convenient location and you get to deplane faster. If you specifically need extra legroom, the emergency exit rows offer “wide legroom” seats for stretching your legs.
Vietnam Airlines also sells “economy lite” fares. While they have more restrictions on changes and refunds, they’re not as punishing as basic economy in the US. Most importantly, you still get a free carry-on and a checked bag.
Onboard experience
Here’s what you can expect once you’re in the air.
Wi-Fi & entertainment
Vietnam Airlines offers Wi-Fi on its Airbus A350 aircraft for in-flight internet connectivity. The A321 has a different system – it provides wireless entertainment through the onboard “LotuStar-Wifi” network, which lets you stream content but doesn’t offer internet access. Most other aircraft in the fleet don’t have Wi-Fi connectivity yet.
The good news is that all long-haul A350 and 787 aircraft have personal entertainment screens. I’ve found the movie and TV selection a bit underwhelming, but there’s a wider range of options if you’re open to watching Vietnamese titles.
Amenities
Business class passengers on long-haul flights get a basic amenity kit, though I’ve never found them memorable enough to take with me. If you’re flying in economy or premium economy, you won’t receive one, so be sure to pack your own essentials.
Pre-flight experience
Here’s what you need to know before you even get on the plane.
Baggage policy and fees
Compared to many Western airlines, Vietnam Airlines is generous with its baggage policy. On most routes, economy fares include a carry-on, a personal item and one free checked bag up to 23 kg (50 lbs), though allowances vary by itinerary and fare type.
Some routes, like those to/from the Americas and certain Japan flights, actually include two free checked bags in economy.
If you’re in business or premium economy, you typically get two free bags – 32 kg each for business class and 23 kg each for premium economy, though this can also vary by route.
Check-in
Vietnam Airlines’ website and mobile app have come a long way since I started flying them. It’s now possible to check-in online before you get to the airport in almost all cases, with the exception of countries where you need an advance visa, such as China.
At the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City hubs, the airline maintains more check-in staff than many other carriers. You’ll find kiosks at major airports in Vietnam and several international locations, but I’ve never waited long for service from an actual human, especially when flying business class or with SkyTeam elite status.
Lounges
Vietnam Airlines operates its own Lotus Lounges at its hubs and a few other domestic airports.
When flying internationally from other airports, you’ll get access to lounges operated by SkyTeam partners like Delta in the US or Air France/KLM in Europe.
As a general rule, I tend to prefer partner lounges over Vietnam Airlines’ own Lotus Lounges. The interiors of these lounges seem not to have been updated for many years; I’ve personally found that the food buffets are often not fresh or just empty. It’s a bit of a letdown, especially when you compare it to the solid service onboard.
Loyalty programs, miles & credit cards
Vietnam Airlines’ loyalty program is called Lotusmiles. While the airline promotes it heavily, I don’t find it very useful for travelers who live outside of Vietnam. Here’s why.
Lotusmiles
Earning miles with Lotusmiles is easy, but redemptions are where the program falls short. Rates are uncompetitive, especially for long-haul flights and partner airlines. The interface is clunky and frequently shows phantom availability that you can’t actually book. For international travelers, these issues make the program frustrating to use.
Credit cards and other ways to book
Vietnam Airlines co-branded credit cards may have geographic restrictions, so that’s not always a useful strategy for international travelers.
Instead, I recommend a “back door” approach.
As a SkyTeam member, Vietnam Airlines flights can often be credited to partner programs like Delta SkyMiles for redemption through their systems.
You can also transfer points from programs like American Express Membership Rewards to your SkyMiles account. I’ve found availability to be strong and the rates to be fair – a much better deal all around.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
