We flew with VietJet on our trip to Vietnam, both internationally (from Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City) and on two domestic routes. It was the cheapest option for us at the time, even when including checked luggage. If you can travel with carry-on only, you’ll get even better deals. So, how was our experience?
The airline’s reputation
VietJet doesn’t have the best reputation. Delays and last-minute cancellations are common, especially on domestic routes. Before and during our trip, I heard a lot of mixed reviews, which made me slightly nervous. We had a tight itinerary, so I was a bit stressed about the possibility of delays. Thankfully, it worked out okay for us, but we did plan with plenty of buffer time, just in case.
It’s important to always keep in mind that VietJet is a budget airline. You’ll need to pay extra for food and drinks, and the service is very average. We tried the food once, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s better to pack snacks or eat at the airport. If you think you’ll want a meal or drink during your flight, you can book it in advance to save a bit.
International flight: Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City
One big reason we chose VietJet is that it’s currently the only airline offering a direct flight from Brisbane to Vietnam. That makes it both more convenient and more affordable. Even with the occasional delay, not having to transit in another country is a huge plus. We left Brisbane late at night and landed in Ho Chi Minh early in the morning.
Arriving in Vietnam
Our flight was slightly delayed (less than an hour), but we had anticipated this and left a long gap before our domestic connection. That turned out to be a good decision.
Ho Chi Minh City airport can get very busy. We landed at 5.20 am, took the shuttle bus to the terminal, and reached immigration by 5.45 am. We were lucky as the crowd started building up just after us, and the waiting time at immigration quickly doubled (or tripled!). By 6.15 am, we had passed immigration and got our luggage. We walked over to the domestic terminal, checked in, and cleared security by 6.50 am.
From landing to being through domestic security took us about 1.5 hours, which is actually efficient, but we saw how quickly queues can grow, so it’s worth considering a fast-track pass if you’re tight on time or may get tired while waiting. We read about people not feeling good while queuing because of the heat.
There wasn’t much to do at all while waiting for our domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. We ate a bahn mi and tried to rest.
Departing Vietnam: allow plenty of time
When we flew out of Vietnam, we queued for a long time at the VietJet check-in counter. We couldn’t check in online. Many people were getting very nervous as their departure times approached, but the queue stayed slow. I was glad we arrived early to avoid stress! Here’s how long things took:
- Arrived at the airport: 7.30 am
- Check-in done: 8.40 am
- Immigration cleared: 9.10 am
- Security done: 9.15 am
If you’re flying VietJet internationally, I highly recommend getting to the airport early. The process isn’t as smooth as you might be used to.
Domestic flights: mixed experience
Our domestic flights were a mix of smooth and delayed.
When we were travelling in the north, we heard many VietJet flights were being cancelled due to recent changes in their ground operations. It made us nervous, and we even considered skipping our flight and taking the train to Danang. But that would have been a very long journey that we couldn’t fit into our itinerary. So we hoped for the best.
And we got lucky. In the end, our flight from Hanoi to Danang landed early. Interestingly, our new friends we met on the Ha Giang Loop were flying the same day with Vietnam Airlines and ended up delayed by a couple of hours. So it’s not just VietJet, flying in Vietnam in general seems unpredictable. Many flights were late or cancelled that day in Hanoi.
Our second domestic flight, from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, was about an hour late. Luckily, our travel agent managed to rearrange our afternoon scooter tour while we were in the air, so it didn’t affect our itinerary. It all worked out, but it is a good reminder that flying in Vietnam requires a flexible attitude.
Practical tips if you’re flying with VietJet
- Plan buffer time – Delays are common. Don’t schedule too many things on a flight day.
- Eat before boarding – Food onboard is basic and often not included.
- Keep your important items with you – We had no issue with our luggage, but like with any airline, check-in luggage can be lost, so you should always pack your valuables in your carry-on, as well as all your medication.
- Book extras in advance – Seat selection, meals, and baggage are all additional costs.
- Arrive early at the airport – Especially for international flights.
- Be flexible – Flights may not go to plan, so stay calm and have a backup plan if needed.
- Stay alert – They didn’t always announce early the gate changed or the plane was delayed, so it’s good to check the screen regularly.
- Consider seat selection – I really liked our two-seat row at the back in economy on our domestic flights. Worth it for a bit more comfort! You can use seatmaps.com to check what the plane looks like.
- Plan your own entertainment – there was no screen, and if you have multiple flights with Vietjet, you’ll quickly get over the songs they play on a loop.
- Consider travel insurance – we never go overseas without it, especially to cover medical expenses, but it also lowers the stress if you face delays or lost luggage. It’s also worth checking that you’ll be covered for motorbike travel, as it’s not always included. Some providers, like Cover-More, offer options to easily include motorbike coverage if that’s relevant to your trip.
Would I fly VietJet again?
Yes, because of the price and the convenience of a direct flight from Brisbane. It’s not the most comfortable or reliable airline, but if you’re well prepared and keep your expectations realistic, it can be a great budget option.
But if for the same budget (or slightly more) I could fly with a more reputable airline, I’d definitely consider the alternative.
It’s worth remembering that our experience doesn’t reflect everyone’s. VietJet does have a bad reputation for a reason – many travellers have had frustrating delays, last-minute cancellations or poor customer service. We were lucky that things worked out fairly well for us, but I wouldn’t count on that being the case every time. We took the risk because the direct flight from Brisbane made things easier, and we had accepted in advance the fact that we might need to adjust our itinerary. In the end, we’re glad we did – but it’s definitely not a guarantee.
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