Why the advertised fare is rarely the real fare
Vietnamese carriers advertise base fares that exclude taxes, fees and baggage. Vietjet's "Eco" fare is the cheapest tier and includes only 7kg of carry-on. Checked luggage costs 180,000 to 350,000 VND ($7 to $14) for 20kg if purchased online in advance, and significantly more at the airport counter. Vietnam Airlines' standard economy fare includes 12kg carry-on and 23kg checked baggage as standard on most domestic routes.
The practical result: a Vietjet ticket at 500,000 VND ($20) with a 20kg bag added becomes roughly 750,000 VND ($29). A Vietnam Airlines ticket at 900,000 VND ($35) with the same bag included stays at 900,000 VND. The gap narrows considerably once luggage enters the equation.
Always price both airlines with your actual baggage needs before booking. The cheapest base fare is rarely the cheapest total.
Route 1: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
This is Vietnam's busiest air corridor. Both carriers run 15 to 20 daily frequencies, with flight times around 2 hours 10 minutes.
Vietjet base fares on this route in 2026 typically range from 600,000 to 1,400,000 VND ($24 to $55) depending on how far ahead you book. Vietnam Airlines runs 900,000 to 2,200,000 VND ($35 to $86).
Add a 20kg checked bag to Vietjet and the total climbs by 180,000 to 350,000 VND. Vietnam Airlines already includes 23kg. On a mid-range booking, the total price difference often shrinks to 100,000 to 200,000 VND ($4 to $8), which makes Vietnam Airlines the better value once you factor in punctuality and cabin comfort.
Vietjet's A321 and A330 fleet on this route is newer than its reputation suggests. Legroom in standard economy is tight at 29 inches. Vietnam Airlines' A321 fleet offers 31 to 32 inches on the same aircraft type. For a 2-hour flight the difference is manageable. For anyone over 180cm it matters.
Route 2: Hanoi to Da Nang
At roughly 1 hour 20 minutes, this is a short hop where Vietjet's price advantage is most visible. Base fares frequently drop to 400,000 to 800,000 VND ($16 to $31) on Vietjet versus 700,000 to 1,500,000 VND ($27 to $59) on Vietnam Airlines.
The catch is schedule reliability. Vietjet's first morning departures from Hanoi to Da Nang are usually on time. Afternoon and evening flights absorb delays from the aircraft's earlier rotations. Vietnam Airlines operates more aircraft on this route and can swap planes when something goes wrong.
Da Nang airport sits 3km from the city center, so a 30-minute delay rarely ruins a day. If the plan is to connect onward to Hoi An the same afternoon, Vietnam Airlines' reliability is worth the premium. Travelers heading to the Hai Van Pass and Lap An lagoon or Ba Na Hills should build in buffer time regardless of carrier.
Route 3: Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc flights from Saigon take about 1 hour. Vietjet dominates frequency here with up to 20 daily departures in peak season. Vietnam Airlines runs 8 to 12.
Vietjet base fares: 500,000 to 1,100,000 VND ($20 to $43). Vietnam Airlines: 800,000 to 1,800,000 VND ($31 to $70).
Phu Quoc is a route where Vietjet's baggage fees hit hardest. Most travelers to the island carry more than 7kg, and the island's resort-heavy tourism means checked bags are the norm. A Vietjet return with 20kg bags added both ways lands at roughly the same total as a Vietnam Airlines return with bags included.
Vietnam Airlines also operates some flights on this route with the A350 widebody during peak periods, which means more space and better overhead bin capacity. Travelers planning around Phu Quoc's calmest seas should book early, as both carriers raise prices sharply during December to March high season.
Route 4: Hanoi to Nha Trang (Cam Ranh)
Cam Ranh airport sits 35km south of Nha Trang city, a 45-minute drive. Both carriers fly the route in about 1 hour 50 minutes.
Vietjet base fares: 550,000 to 1,200,000 VND ($22 to $47). Vietnam Airlines: 850,000 to 1,900,000 VND ($33 to $74).
This route has a quirk: Vietjet frequently runs late-evening departures that arrive at Cam Ranh after 11pm. Ground transport into Nha Trang at that hour costs more and options are thinner. Vietnam Airlines' schedule is weighted toward daytime departures. The convenience difference is real, especially for travelers who have not arranged a private transfer.
For Nha Trang on a budget, the cheaper Vietjet fare can still win if the arrival time works. Otherwise the Vietnam Airlines premium buys a more usable schedule.
Route 5: Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
Another high-frequency trunk route at 1 hour 25 minutes. Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines both run 10 to 15 daily flights.
Vietjet base fares: 450,000 to 1,000,000 VND ($18 to $39). Vietnam Airlines: 750,000 to 1,600,000 VND ($29 to $63).
This route is where Vietjet's delays are most consistently reported. The aircraft often arrives from an earlier Hanoi or Saigon rotation, and afternoon delays cascade. Morning flights before 10am are the safest bet on either carrier.
The comparison table
| Route | Vietjet base (VND) | Vietnam Airlines base (VND) | Vietjet with 20kg bag | Vietnam Airlines with 23kg bag | Typical delay gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi-Saigon | 600,000-1,400,000 | 900,000-2,200,000 | +180,000-350,000 | Included | 10-15% |
| Hanoi-Da Nang | 400,000-800,000 | 700,000-1,500,000 | +180,000-350,000 | Included | 10-15% |
| Saigon-Phu Quoc | 500,000-1,100,000 | 800,000-1,800,000 | +180,000-350,000 | Included | 8-12% |
| Hanoi-Nha Trang | 550,000-1,200,000 | 850,000-1,900,000 | +180,000-350,000 | Included | 10-15% |
| Da Nang-Saigon | 450,000-1,000,000 | 750,000-1,600,000 | +180,000-350,000 | Included | 10-15% |
Baggage fees shown are for online pre-purchase. Airport counter rates run 400,000 to 600,000 VND for the same weight.
Punctuality: what the data actually shows
Vietjet's on-time performance in 2025 hovered around 78 to 82 percent across domestic routes. Vietnam Airlines ran 88 to 92 percent. The gap is consistent and well-documented by Vietnam's Civil Aviation Authority.
That 10-point gap translates to roughly one in five Vietjet flights running more than 15 minutes late versus one in ten for Vietnam Airlines. Most delays are under an hour. A small percentage stretch to 2 or 3 hours, usually on the last rotation of the day.
Book the first flight of the morning on either carrier if your schedule is tight. Aircraft that start the day on time rarely fall badly behind before noon.
Vietjet's response to disruptions is also slower. Rebooking options are thinner because the airline operates fewer spare aircraft. Vietnam Airlines has more flexibility to move passengers onto later flights the same day.
Comfort: what you get in the cabin
Vietjet's A321neo and A330 aircraft are modern. Seat pitch in economy is 29 inches on the A321 and 31 inches on the A330. No meals are included on domestic flights except on promotional fares. Buy-on-board food is limited and often sells out on longer routes.
Vietnam Airlines' A321 fleet offers 31 to 32 inches of pitch. Widebody A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft appear on the Hanoi-Saigon trunk route during peak periods, with 32 to 33 inches and personal entertainment screens. A small snack and drink are included on most domestic fares.
For a 1-hour flight the comfort gap is negligible. For Hanoi-Saigon at 2 hours 10 minutes, the extra 2 to 3 inches and included snack make Vietnam Airlines noticeably more comfortable.
When Vietjet makes sense
Vietjet wins when: the trip is short, the traveler has only carry-on luggage, the flight is early morning, and the price gap exceeds 300,000 VND ($12). Solo travelers and backpackers on tight budgets fit this profile. Anyone following a backpacking Vietnam itinerary will find Vietjet's fares hard to ignore on shorter hops.
Vietjet also runs frequent flash sales with fares as low as 0 VND plus taxes. These are real but limited and require booking weeks ahead.
When Vietnam Airlines makes sense
Vietnam Airlines wins when: checked baggage is needed, the flight is longer than 90 minutes, the schedule involves an onward connection, or the traveler values predictability. Families, business travelers and anyone connecting to an international flight should default to Vietnam Airlines unless the price gap is extreme.
The airline also has better handling for irregular operations. If a flight cancels, rebooking is faster and compensation policies are clearer.
Booking practicalities for 2026
Both airlines sell through their own websites and apps. Third-party OTAs sometimes offer lower fares but complicate changes and refunds. Book direct unless the savings exceed 200,000 VND ($8).
Vietnamese domestic fares are cheapest 4 to 8 weeks before departure. Booking inside 7 days pushes prices up sharply, especially on Vietjet. Tet and public holidays see fares triple or worse. Travelers planning around public holidays and closures should book 2 to 3 months ahead.
Payment: both accept international cards, but Vietnamese cards often get lower fees. Some foreign cards trigger verification issues on Vietjet's site. Having a backup payment method ready avoids losing a fare during checkout.
Check-in: both airlines allow online check-in 24 hours before departure. Vietnam Airlines' app is more reliable. Vietjet's app sometimes fails to load boarding passes, so screenshots are worth taking.
FAQ
Q: Is Vietjet actually cheaper than Vietnam Airlines once baggage is added? On short routes with carry-on only, yes, usually by 200,000 to 400,000 VND ($8 to $16). With a 20kg checked bag, the gap narrows to under 150,000 VND on most routes, and Vietnam Airlines sometimes wins outright.
Q: How late is Vietjet typically? Around 18 to 22 percent of Vietjet domestic flights arrive more than 15 minutes late. Most delays are 20 to 45 minutes. Evening flights are worse than morning flights.
Q: Does Vietnam Airlines include food on domestic flights? Yes, a small snack and drink are included on most economy fares. Vietjet charges for food and often runs out on longer routes.
Q: Which airline is better for families with children? Vietnam Airlines. Included baggage, more legroom and better rebooking handling matter more with kids. Vietjet's baggage fees stack up quickly for a family of four.
Q: Can I change or cancel a Vietjet ticket? Changes are allowed on most fares with a fee plus any fare difference. Cancellations usually refund only taxes. Vietnam Airlines has similar rules but slightly more flexible change windows on higher fare classes.
Q: Are there other domestic carriers worth considering? Bamboo Airways operates a smaller network, mostly on trunk routes. It sits between the two on price and includes 20kg checked baggage on most fares. See the full Vietjet vs Bamboo vs Vietnam Airlines comparison for detail.
Q: What happens if a flight is cancelled? Both airlines rebook on the next available flight. Vietnam Airlines typically offers same-day alternatives. Vietjet may push to the following day on thinner routes. Travel insurance covering trip disruption is worth having, and the travel insurance guide for Vietnam explains what policies actually cover.
The bottom line
For a 1-hour hop with carry-on only, Vietjet's price advantage is real and worth taking. For anything involving checked bags, a connection, or a flight over 90 minutes, Vietnam Airlines' included baggage and better punctuality usually make it the smarter total-cost choice. Run the numbers with your actual luggage before clicking buy. The cheapest fare on the screen is rarely the cheapest trip.