Vietnam Airlines Baggage Fees (2026)
Quick summary
Vietnam Airlines is a full-service carrier that uses a piece-based free baggage allowance on international routes. Economy typically gets 1 x 23 kg on most routes and 2 x 23 kg to/from the Americas; Premium Economy 2 x 23 kg and Business 2 x 32 kg internationally. Vietnam domestic Economy is 1 x 23 kg. Allowances vary by route and fare, so check your specific itinerary.
The bottom line on Vietnam Airlines baggage
Vietnam Airlines rewards travellers who read the fine print: your carry-on and at least one checked bag are already included, but the free allowance swings hard by route. The trap is assuming every trip matches — Americas routes use a generous 2 x 23 kg piece concept, while most other international Economy fares give you only a single 23 kg bag, so we always check the specific itinerary before packing.
The reliable ways to come out ahead here are to pre-purchase any extra baggage on the airline site rather than at the airport, and to add your Lotusmiles number at booking, since status can raise your free allowance. Keep each checked piece to 32 kg or under — heavier bags are refused — and hold your cabin baggage below the 12 kg total, as it does get weighed.
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Hidden pitfalls most travelers miss
- The free allowance swings hard by route: Americas flights use a generous 2 x 23 kg piece concept, but most other international Economy fares give you only a single 23 kg bag.
- No single checked piece may exceed 32 kg — heavier bags are refused as normal checked baggage, so split loads rather than paying overweight charges.
- Cabin baggage is weighed against a 12 kg total, especially during peak Tet travel, so an over-limit carry-on can be forced into the hold.
Vietnam Airlinesbaggage allowance & fees at a glance
| 🎒 Personal item | One small accessory (handbag, laptop bag, or similar) up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm is allowed in addition to your carry-on bag. |
| 🧳 Carry-on allowance | Economy allows carry-on totaling up to 12 kg: one main bag up to 10 kg (max 56 x 36 x 23 cm, 115 cm total) plus one accessory (max 40 x 30 x 15 cm). Business, First and Premium Economy may bring two cabin pieces up to 10 kg each. |
| 🧳 First checked bag | 1 piece, up to 23 kg (50 lb), max 158 cm total |
| 🧳 Second checked bag | 1 piece, up to 23 kg (50 lb) (Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Australia, Europe) |
Vietnam Airlines checked bag fees
| Economy — Vietnam domestic | 1 piece, up to 23 kg (50 lb), max 158 cm total |
| Economy — most international routes | 1 piece, up to 23 kg (50 lb) (Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Australia, Europe) |
| Economy — Americas routes (US/Canada) | 2 pieces, up to 23 kg (50 lb) each |
| Premium Economy | 2 pieces, up to 23 kg (50 lb) each on international routes (1 x 32 kg on Vietnam domestic) |
| Business Class | 2 pieces, up to 32 kg (70 lb) each internationally (1 x 32 kg on Vietnam domestic) |
Excess baggage cost calculator
Estimate what Vietnam Airlines will actually charge for your bags — one way, typical domestic/regional route.
- Checked bag #1$0
Estimates only. Fees vary by route, fare type, and date — always confirm before booking.
Vietnam Airlines vs Thai Airways vs Malaysia Airlines: baggage compared
Head-to-head on the fees that actually decide the cheaper airline for bags.
| Vietnam Airlines | Thai Airways | Malaysia Airlines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on included | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | ✅ Free |
| 1st checked bag | Free | Free | Free |
| 2nd checked bag | — | — | — |
| Overweight surcharge | — | — | — |
| Weight limit | 23 kg | 23 kg | 20 kg |
Flying Vietnam Airlines abroad?
Vietnam Airlines is a full-service carrier based in Asia — if this is an international trip, a travel eSIM means you land with data already working, with no roaming bill.
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🔁 Change & cancellation
Change and refund rules vary by fare class. Lower Economy fares carry change/cancel fees and may be non-refundable; flexible fares allow changes for a lower fee or free. Lotusmiles members get added flexibility.
Vietnam Airlines flight delayed or cancelled?
Compensation rules follow the route, not the airline — a Asia-departing Vietnam Airlines flight delayed 3+ hours can be worth up to €600. Checking costs nothing.
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Other common fees
| Excess / additional baggage | Per-piece or per-kg fee by route — cheaper if pre-purchased online |
| Overweight bag (over the free 23 kg) | Bags 23–32 kg attract an excess-weight charge; single pieces over 32 kg are not accepted as normal checked baggage |
| Oversized / sports equipment | Special handling fee; pre-declare at booking |
How to avoid extra fees
- Allowances vary heavily by route and fare type — always check your specific itinerary, especially Americas routes (2 x 23 kg piece concept) versus most other routes (1 x 23 kg).
- Pre-purchase extra baggage on vietnamairlines.com before the airport to save money.
- Keep your carry-on under 12 kg total (10 kg main bag + accessory) — Vietnam Airlines weighs cabin bags, especially during peak Tet travel.
- No single checked piece may exceed 32 kg; split heavy loads across bags or buy an extra piece rather than paying overweight charges.
- Add your Lotusmiles number at booking; status can increase your free allowance.
Vietnam Airlines baggage — FAQ
＋ − How much checked baggage is free in Economy on Vietnam Airlines?
Most international Economy fares include 1 piece up to 23 kg, while Americas routes (US/Canada) use a 2-piece concept (2 x 23 kg). Vietnam domestic Economy is 1 x 23 kg.
＋ − What is the carry-on limit on Vietnam Airlines?
Economy allows up to 12 kg total: one main bag up to 10 kg (56 x 36 x 23 cm) plus one small accessory (40 x 30 x 15 cm). Business, First and Premium Economy may bring two cabin pieces up to 10 kg each.
＋ − Do US routes use weight or piece allowances?
Routes to and from the Americas follow the piece concept (usually 2 bags of 23 kg each in Economy), while most other international routes give Economy a single 23 kg piece.
＋ − How much can Premium Economy and Business check in?
Internationally, Premium Economy gets 2 x 23 kg and Business gets 2 x 32 kg per piece. On Vietnam domestic flights both are 1 x 32 kg.
Sources & official policy links
Independent guide — not affiliated with Vietnam Airlines. Figures here reflect Vietnam Airlines's published Asia fares as of 2026-07-12.