✓ Policy web-verified 2026-07-06
Vietravel Airlines is a small, fast-growing Vietnamese carrier — four owned aircraft as of mid-2026, more on the way, and a network that runs the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City trunk plus new hops into China. It prices like a low-cost airline, and that means the number you need to understand before you book is the one nobody advertises: the cheapest fare gets you a cabin bag and nothing in the hold.
Here is the trap in one sentence. Vietravel sells a stripped base fare where checked baggage is not included — you carry 7 kg into the cabin and that is your entire allowance unless you pay to add a hold bag. If you are travelling with a real suitcase, the headline fare is not the fare you will actually pay. Add the bag at booking, because buying it later at the airport costs noticeably more.
Quick facts
| Carrier type | Vietnamese low-cost / scheduled |
| Hand baggage | 1 piece, 7 kg (56×36×23 cm) |
| Personal item | 1 small item (handbag / laptop bag) |
| Cheapest fare checked | None — cabin bag only |
| Checked add-on units | 15 / 23 / 32 kg per piece |
| Max per piece | 32 kg |
| Max checked per passenger | 3 pieces / 70 kg per route |
| Allowance basis | Weight-based (not piece) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | One small item — handbag, laptop bag or camera bag — placed under the seat in front of you. |
| Cabin / overhead bag | 1 piece up to <strong>7 kg</strong>, max <strong>56×36×23 cm</strong>. The flexible 'Optimal' fare raises this to <strong>12 kg</strong>. This is the ONLY free allowance on the cheapest fares. |
Checked baggage & fees
| Cheapest base fare | No checked baggage — you must buy it separately |
| Prepaid add-on (online) | Bought in units of 15 / 23 / 32 kg per piece, priced in VND |
| Max weight per single piece | 32 kg |
| Max checked total | 3 pieces / 70 kg per passenger per route |
| Airport purchase | Allowed but more expensive than prepaid |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard / Wisdom / Common | 1 item | 7 kg | None — add checked separately |
| Optimal | 1 item | 12 kg | None free — add checked separately |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
Vietravel runs a weight-based allowance, which is standard for Vietnamese domestic and regional flying and different from the piece-based systems you meet on transatlantic routes. Nobody counts your bags against a ‘1×23 kg’ rule — they weigh everything you check and it must total under what you have paid for. That is actually generous in one way: buy a 23 kg allowance and you can split it across bags however you like, as long as no single piece tops 32 kg and your total stays under 70 kg across a maximum of three pieces. My advice: buy the exact weight you need at booking. The prepaid rate is meaningfully cheaper than the airport counter, and you must add it at least 3 hours before a domestic departure and 4 hours before an international one.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and sports items — golf sets, bicycles, surfboards — are accepted as checked baggage against your paid weight allowance, with additional handling fees where the piece exceeds standard dimensions. Musical instruments have their own conditions. Because these charges and the exact prepaid VND rates change with the season and route, confirm the current figure in the booking flow or your confirmation rather than trusting a third-party quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Vietravel Airlines fare include a checked bag?
No. The lowest base fare includes only your 7 kg cabin bag and a small personal item. Checked baggage is sold separately and must be added to your booking.
How much hand baggage can I bring?
One cabin bag up to 7 kg, maximum 56×36×23 cm, plus one small personal item. The flexible ‘Optimal’ fare allows 12 kg of cabin baggage instead of 7 kg.
Is Vietravel Airlines baggage weight-based or piece-based?
Weight-based. You buy a total checked weight (in units of 15, 23 or 32 kg) rather than a fixed number of pieces. No single piece may exceed 32 kg, and your total may not exceed 70 kg across up to 3 pieces per route.
How do I add checked baggage and when?
Add it during booking or later via the website — the prepaid rate is cheaper than paying at the airport. You must buy or upgrade at least 3 hours before a domestic flight and 4 hours before an international flight.
What is the maximum weight for one checked bag?
32 kg per individual piece. Your combined checked allowance can be up to 70 kg across a maximum of 3 pieces per passenger per route.
How much does extra baggage cost on Vietravel Airlines?
Prepaid excess baggage is priced in Vietnamese dong (VND) and varies by route and weight unit, and it is cheaper than buying at the airport. Because the exact figures change, check the price shown in the booking flow — a 20-plus kg add-on typically runs the equivalent of a low-to-mid double-digit euro amount, but confirm the live rate before you rely on it.
Can I bring sports equipment or oversize items?
Yes — golf sets, bicycles and surfboards are accepted as checked baggage against your paid weight allowance, with extra handling fees for oversize pieces. Musical instruments have separate conditions.