Vietnam Airlines Baggage Policy (2026): Carry-On & Checked Allowance

The Vietnam Airlines baggage policy is more generous than most of its regional competitors — a full-service fare includes a sizeable cabin allowance and, on most tickets, checked luggage. The catch is that the numbers change with your route: the same Economy ticket can include 12 kg of cabin baggage to Europe but 10 kg to Bangkok, and only 7 kg on a domestic turboprop.

Use the summary below to find your allowance, then read the sections on excess baggage and restricted items before you pack.

Lite and promotional fares can include less. Your e-ticket shows the exact allowance for each flight.

Vietnam Airlines Carry-On Allowance

Each passenger may take one main cabin bag of up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm and one accessory (personal item) of up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The weight limit applies to both items together:

• 12 kg total in Economy and Premium Economy on flights to and from the Americas, Europe and Oceania, with the main bag itself limited to 10 kg.
• 10 kg total in Economy and Premium Economy on all other routes, including domestic jet flights and most of Asia.
• 18 kg total in Business, split across two cabin bags of up to 10 kg each plus an accessory.
• 7 kg total on flights operated by ATR72 turboprops, which have very small overhead bins.

That 7 kg rule on ATR72 services is the one that surprises travelers most. Several regional domestic routes and short international hops are flown by ATR aircraft; check the aircraft type on your booking if you are flying to a smaller airport such as Con Dao or Dien Bien.

What counts as the accessory

A handbag, laptop bag, slim briefcase or small camera bag counts as your accessory. Coats, umbrellas, reading material and duty-free shopping bought after security are normally carried in addition. Compare this with other airlines in our personal item size chart.

Vietnam Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

Checked baggage depends on three things: your cabin, your fare family and your route. As a guide to the most common allowances:

"2 x 23 kg" means two separate bags, each up to 23 kg. You cannot combine them into one 46 kg bag; any piece over its own limit is charged as overweight. Bags over 32 kg are not accepted as checked baggage on any route.

SkyTeam elite members and Lotusmiles Gold and Platinum members usually receive an extra piece or extra weight on top of the fare allowance. For the general rules behind these numbers, see our checked bag size and weight guide.

Excess and Prepaid Baggage

If your fare does not include enough luggage, you have two choices: buy prepaid baggage online in advance, or pay excess baggage at the airport. Prepaid baggage is sold by weight or by extra piece depending on your route, and it is consistently cheaper than the airport rate.

• When to buy: during booking, or later through Manage Booking on vietnamairlines.com, up to a few hours before departure.
• How it is charged: extra bags beyond your free pieces are charged per piece; bags over the weight or 158 cm size limit attract overweight or oversize fees.
• Currency: fees are charged in the currency of the departure country, so prices differ between outbound and return flights.

A simple rule of thumb: if you are close to the limit, buying one extra piece online costs less than paying an overweight surcharge on a single heavy bag at the counter.

Sports equipment and musical instruments

Golf clubs, bicycles, skis and surfboards can be checked, but they should be declared in advance because hold space is limited on narrow-body aircraft. Small instruments can travel as cabin baggage if they fit the 56 x 36 x 23 cm limit; larger instruments need a purchased seat or must be checked in a hard case.

Items You Cannot Pack

Vietnam Airlines follows international dangerous goods rules. The most common problems at Vietnamese airports are:

• Power banks and spare lithium batteries in checked bags — they must travel in the cabin.
• E-cigarettes and vapes in checked bags — cabin only, and they cannot be used or charged on board.
• Liquids over 100 ml in cabin baggage on international flights; all containers must fit in one clear 1-liter bag.
• Knives, scissors, tools and sporting goods that could be used as weapons in the cabin.
• Explosives, flammable liquids, compressed gas and corrosive substances in any baggage.

Destination countries may also restrict food, plant products and large amounts of cash; check customs rules for both ends of your trip.

Practical Tips at Vietnamese Airports

• Weigh your cabin bags together — the limit is the total of the main bag and accessory.
• Check the aircraft type on regional routes; ATR72 flights only allow 7 kg.
• Arrive early at Tan Son Nhat (SGN) and Noi Bai (HAN), where check-in queues are long at peak times and baggage drop closes before the gate does.
• Keep a change of clothes in your cabin bag on long-haul connections in case your checked bag is delayed.
• Compare with Vietjet if you are choosing between the two: Vietjet's 7 kg cabin limit and paid checked bags change the real price of the ticket.

If a bag is delayed or damaged, report it at the Vietnam Airlines baggage desk before leaving the arrivals hall and keep your Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number.