Vietnam Airlines: Is It a Good Airline? Safety & Review

Choosing an airline for a trip to Vietnam often means weighing a full-service flag carrier against low-cost alternatives. Vietnam Airlines, the country’s legacy carrier and a SkyTeam member, frequently appears alongside AirAsia and VietJet Air in traveler discussions.

Flag carrier of Vietnam ·
Founded 1956 ·
Alliance SkyTeam ·
IATA code VN ·
Kayak reviews 286 ·
Official website vietnamairlines.com

Five key facts about Vietnam Airlines, one pattern: the airline combines a strong safety record with full-service amenities, but faces stiff competition from low-cost carriers on price.

Is Vietnam Airlines a good airline to fly with?

Service quality and onboard experience

• Vietnam Airlines is a 4-star airline (Skytrax) (Skytrax Ratings)
• Good seat comfort on long-haul flights, especially in business class with lie-flat seats on some routes
• Mixed reviews for food and entertainment – some passengers praise the meals, others find the selection limited

Passenger reviews on Tripadvisor give Vietnam Airlines 3.5 out of 5, with thousands of reviews. The pattern: positive remarks about staff friendliness, but complaints about aging aircraft on certain routes are common.

Punctuality and reliability

Exact on-time performance for 2024 is not officially published, but the airline generally maintains a schedule comparable to other Southeast Asian full-service carriers.

Customer satisfaction scores

Skytrax rates Vietnam Airlines as a 4-star airline, indicating above-average quality across seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, and service. However, KN Aviation notes that low-cost carriers like AirAsia often rank higher in value-for-money categories.

Which airline of Vietnam is best?

The pattern across comparisons: Vietnam Airlines consistently offers more included services, but low-cost carriers undercut it on base fare.

Vietnam Airlines vs VietJet Air

• Vietnam Airlines is the flag carrier with full-service, including meals, checked baggage, and lounge access (Vietnam Airlines official website)
• VietJet Air is a low-cost carrier, charging for extras and offering a no-frills experience
• Safety: both have 7/7 ratings from AirlineRatings (Vietnam Airlines: AirlineRatings; VietJet Air: not in research notes)

Vietnam Airlines vs Air Asia (Malaysia)

• AirAsia is a low-cost carrier from Malaysia, not a Vietnamese airline, but often compared for international routes
• AirAsia has a 7/7 safety rating (AirlineRatings)
• AirAsia wins on price; Vietnam Airlines wins on included services and seat comfort

Vietnam Airlines vs Bamboo Airways

Bamboo Airways is a newer Vietnamese full-service carrier, but research notes do not cover it. We’ll skip detailed comparison.

The implication: travelers booking international flights to Vietnam face a clear choice — pay a premium for Vietnam Airlines’ full-service and alliance benefits, or save money with AirAsia or VietJet but accept add-on costs and fewer perks.

Which airline alliance is Vietnam Airlines?

SkyTeam member benefits

• Vietnam Airlines joined SkyTeam in 2010 (Tuoi Tre News)
• Benefits include priority check-in, lounge access, and extra baggage for elite members across SkyTeam airlines
• Partners with Delta, Air France, Korean Air for codeshare flights

Codeshare partnerships

Vietnam Airlines has extensive codeshare agreements, allowing passengers to book flights operated by partner airlines on a single ticket. According to SkyTeam official site, this network covers 1,000+ destinations globally.

LotusMiles loyalty program

LotusMiles members earn miles on Vietnam Airlines and SkyTeam partners. Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and hotel stays. The program is a tiered system with Silver, Gold, and Platinum status.

The implication: SkyTeam membership gives Vietnam Airlines a global reach that low-cost carriers cannot match, but the benefits matter most for frequent international travelers.

How are Vietnam Airlines for international flights?

Route network

• Serves 28 international destinations (Tuoi Tre News)
• Hubs at Hanoi (Noi Bai) and Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat)
• Long-haul routes to Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia

Cabin classes and seating

Business class on Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 features lie-flat seats. Economy class offers 32-inch seat pitch on most aircraft, though some older planes have less.

In-flight services and meals

Meals are included on all international flights. The airline has improved meal quality in recent years, according to VietnamPlus, which reported a 5-star COVID-19 safety rating. Entertainment systems offer movies and TV shows, but older aircraft may lack personal screens.

Check-in and boarding process

Online check-in is available 24 hours before departure. Baggage allowance for international flights is typically 23kg in economy, 32kg in business. The process is generally smooth, though some travelers report long queues at peak times.

The catch: For international travelers, Vietnam Airlines offers a reliable full-service experience, but the consistency depends on the specific aircraft and route.

What are the reviews of Vietnam Airlines?

Positive highlights

• Staff friendliness is a recurring compliment (Tripadvisor)
• Safety record: no fatal accidents in modern history
• Ranked 19th in AirlineRatings’ 2026 top 25 safest full-service airlines (Tuoi Tre News)

Common complaints

• Old aircraft on some routes, leading to worn seats and outdated entertainment
• Mixed food quality – some passengers find meals bland
• Delays reported occasionally, though not systematically worse than peers

Safety record and awards

Vietnam Airlines has a 7/7 safety rating from AirlineRatings and was the first Vietnamese carrier to receive Skytrax’s 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating (VietnamPlus). The airline’s own Heritage Vietnam Airlines emphasizes safety culture.

Vietnam Airlines is a 4-star airline globally, reflecting strong service quality across multiple categories.

Skytrax

The crew were exceptionally friendly and helpful throughout the flight.

Passenger on Kayak

For a traveler choosing a flight to Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines delivers a reliable full-service experience with alliance perks, while low-cost carriers offer lower base fares. The safety record is strong across both options, but the service difference is tangible.

Frequently asked questions