Is Vietnam Airlines Good?

Vietnam Airlines is considered a good and reliable carrier, accredited with 4-Star Airline Certification by Skytrax and is ranked among the top 25 safest carriers in the world by AirlineRating.com.

Passengers generally heap their praise due to its Vietnamese hospitality, premium cabin experience, and budget fares. However, there are issues with this Vietnam-based flagship carrier when it comes to on-time performance and delays.

Below is a detailed review of Vietnam Airlines, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for all kinds of travelers.

Overview of Vietnam Airlines’ Key Strengths and Limitations

Let’s talk about Vietnam Airlines’ strengths as to why it is considered a reliable international carrier:

• Ranked among the top 25 as the safest low-cost carrier by AirlineRatings.com.
• The airline has never witnessed any fatal crashes or accidents in the past 28 years.
• The airline’s net safety score is 7/7.

However, Vietnam Airlines is also prone to certain limitations, which include:

• In the first half of 2025, the airline’s performance has dipped to 71% due to seasonal calamities. 
• Its mobile app does not work well when it comes to mobile check-in, selecting seats, or adding any special requests like meals or wheelchairs.

The airline is ideal for families and budget-conscious travelers seeking full-service benefits. This is suitable for passengers seeking the safety of routes to Vietnam and other regional destinations. 

But the airline is dominant among its low-cost competitors, but it cannot match the premium services offered by the full-service carriers like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Is Vietnam Airlines Safe and Reliable?

Safety is the top priority for any airline, and Vietnam Airlines really excels in this domain. It holds a safety rating of 7/7 from AirlineRatings.com. In addition, the airline ranked 22nd in 2025 as the safest airline.

Besides, the carrier has never witnessed any fatal accidents in 28 years and maintains 19-year-on-year IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certifications, which is a global standard for airlines’ safety.

For instance, the airline’s signature Hanoi (HA) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) route is considered to be the safest route in the region, even under the frequent adverse weather conditions. This reputation is credited to the airline’s rigorous pilot training module and robust maintenance standards. 

In terms of sustainability, the airline has adopted sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on European routes since January 2025. This initiative has resulted in an impressive decline in emissions by 80%. 

How Good Are Vietnam Airlines’ Domestic Flights?

The Vietnam Airlines domestic flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City serves the most dependable experience. The flight takes nearly 2 hours, and the fare floats between 50 and 80 USD each way, depending on the class of service and fare dynamics. 

It deploys Airbus 321 on this route, which comes with a 3-3-3 configuration in the Economy Class and has a seat pitch of 31 inches, which is quite reliable for short-haul flights. In addition, its Economy fares come with:

• Complimentary water and juice 
• Meals that include croissants and sandwiches
• Wireless entertainment ranging from TV series, movies, and podcasts.

On the other hand, Business Class passengers flying within Vietnam will enjoy:

• Priority boarding
• Complimentary lounge access at major airports in Vietnam 
• Reclining seats
• Free checked baggage
• Wi-Fi

How Good Are Vietnam Airlines International Flights?

A regular Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney flight in Economy Class reflects the airline’s edge in terms of hospitality and premium services.

On this route, its Economy Class comes with a configuration of 3-3-3 with a seat pitch of 32 inches and is comfortable for taller passengers who require additional support during travel. The Economy Class on international routes also comes with the following benefits:

• Pillow and blanket set
• Foam slippers, a sleep mask, and personalized stickers for comfort and privacy.
• Dental hygiene kit, shaving kit, and toiletries.
• LED screen at every seat with 250-plus wireless entertainment options.
• Premium wines, beer, carbonated soft drinks, canned juices, and milk

In addition, the airline’s Premium Economy offers a seating layout of 2-4-2 with 38-inch seat pitch, memory foam cushions, and footrests. The fare for premium economy for international routes is on the higher side by 50-78% and features the following:

• 2-course meals
• 13-inch LED screens
• Priority boarding
• One free 23 kg checked baggage

One of the passengers, Lorain Elliott, recently shared a review saying that the Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy is an ideal option for passengers who want more legroom and an upgraded experience without paying a hefty price for Business Class.

The airline’s Business Class comes with 1-2-1 seating that features a 78-inch flat bed on Boeing 787s and Airbus 350s. Expect a fare 2-3x higher than its Economy counterpart, where you enjoy the following benefits:

• Priority services
• Complimentary wines and other special drinks
• Pre-order gourmet meals
• SkyTeam lounge access
• 2 free 23kg checked baggage
• Free WiFi
• Foam slippers, a sleep mask, and night pajamas.
• Noise-canceling headphones

Conclusion

Vietnam Airlines delivers exceptional value for passengers, prioritizing safety, affordability, and comfort, serving over 25 million passengers in 2025. Its modern fleet, top-tier safety protocol, and premium cabin outshine many budget carriers.

While the airline has faced major delays in the H1 2025 alongside prevailing mobile application issues, the airline’s reliability makes it the first choice for domestic travellers. For those who want to explore Vietnam, its extensive domestic and regional network is often the preferred option, thanks to its safe operations and low-cost fares.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)