Vietnam Airlines Check-in Policy

Vietnam Airlines offers the following check-in options before or after reaching the airport:

1. Online Check-In
2. Telephone Check-In
3. In-Town Check-In
4. Kiosk Check-In
5. Airport Check-In

Vietnam Airlines Check-in Times

What is the check-in time at Vietnam Airlines?

Although the exact check-in time will depend on your airport of departure and will be indicated on your ticket, the opening and closing times of Vietnam Airlines’ check-in counters are:

• From 2 hours to 40 minutes before departure for flights within Vietnam.
• From 3 hours to 50 minutes before departure for international flights (but 60 minutes for flights departing from Europe).

What is the recommended arrival time at the airport? 

Vietnam Airlines recommends that you reach the airport:

• At least 60 minutes before departure for flights within Vietnam. 
• At least 2 hours before departure for international flights.

Check-in Time for Codeshare Flights 

The opening and closing times of codeshare flight check-in counters will depend on the operating airline. If you’re travelling on a codeshare flight, do make sure that you check your flight ticket or the airline’s website before travelling. 

When do the boarding gates close?

The boarding gates at Vietnam Airlines close 15 minutes before departure. 

1. Web/Online Check-in Time 

You can web check-in for your flight (Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Vasco) from 24 hours to 60 minutes before departure. This applies to both domestic and international flights. 

The same check-in time limits will apply if you’re checking in with the mobile app.

2. Telephone Check-in Time

The telephone check-in service (Hotline: 1900 6265) is available from 12 to 2 hours before departure for domestic flights departing from: 

• Noi Bai Airport (Ha Noi) 
• Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)

Note. The telephone check-in service is available for VND 5,000/minute.

3. In-Town Check-in Time

The in-town check-in time is up to 2 hours before departure for domestic flights departing from Noi Bai airport. 

Note

• The in-town check-in service is a paid service and is only available for flights departing on the same day. 
• Passengers requiring special assistance—such as Unaccompanied Minors, passengers travelling on wheelchairs/stretchers, or those who have purchased seats for baggage—must complete their check-in procedures at the airport.

4. Kiosk Check-in Time 

The kiosk check-in time is available at select airports from 24 hours to 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes before departure for international flights. 

5. Airport Check-in Time 

Vietnam Airlines recommends reaching the airport at least 60 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 120 minutes before departure for international flights, keeping in mind potential traffic delays, security screening, and check-in procedures.  

Vietnam Airlines Check-in Process

How to check in for your Vietnam Airlines flight

1. Online Check-in Process

How to check in online at Vietnam Airlines

• If you provided your email address at the time of purchasing your ticket, you will receive a check-in invite via email 24 hours prior to your flight’s departure time. Just click on the link and complete your check-in—you won’t need to provide your flight details again. 
• If you did not provide your email address when purchasing your ticket, follow the steps below:
  

How to receive your online boarding pass

You can receive your online boarding pass:

• Via self-print on an A4 sized sheet
• By email 
• On your mobile device
• On your iPhone Wallet app

After reaching the airport

• For domestic flights

• If you’re travelling without checked baggage, proceed to the departure gate directly.
• If you’re carrying checked baggage, proceed to the airport’s online check-in counter to obtain your boarding pass.
• For international flights

• Go to airline’s online check-in counter. 
• Present your:
  • Boarding pass and ID 
• Online/regular boarding pass and travel documents such as passport, visa, legal ID, etc.

You cannot use web check-in if:

• You requested a special service (except a special meal)
• You’re a deportee
• You’re travelling with an infant below 2 years of age 
• You’re travelling on a codeshare flight operated by another airline

Note

• Online check-in can only be used for up to 9 passengers travelling in the same booking/reservation code. 
• You can choose to print your Online Boarding Pass or receive it by email or on a mobile device. 
• The staff at the web check-in counter will check and stamp your Online Boarding Pass or change it to a traditional boarding pass. 
• To avoid seat cancellation, be sure to report at the Web Check-in Counter at least 15 minutes before your check-in deadline (your seat will be cancelled if your check-in verification is not completed in time). 
• If you’re travelling without checked baggage on a domestic flight departing from Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Hanoi, you can skip the check-in counter and proceed directly to security.

2. Telephone Check-in Process

Vietnam Airlines’ Telephone Check-in is a paid service that is open from 12 to 2 hours before departure for: 

• Domestic flights that depart from Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi
• Passengers who are not carrying any checked baggage 

To check in by telephone:

• Call the hotline number 1900 6265
• Select your seat (optional)
• Check in for your flight 
• Go through security and board your flight on the day of travel

The telephone check-in fee is VND 5,000 per minute.

3. In-Town Check-in Process

Vietnam Airlines’ in-town check-in service is available for same-day domestic flights departing from Noi Bai airport up to 2 hours before departure. The town check-in service allows you to check in for your flight, arrange baggage drop, and receive your boarding pass in advance at a Vietnam Airlines city office. 

Note

• The in-town check-in service is available: 

• Only on domestic flights departing from Noi Bai airport.
• Up to 2 hours before departure for flights departing on the same day.

• The in-town check service is not available for passengers requiring special assistance, such as:
  • Children traveling alone
  • Passengers who have purchased cabin seats for baggage
  • Passengers travelling in stretchers, wheelchairs, etc. 
• The service fee for in-town check-in is indicated below:

4. Kiosk Check-in Process

You can check in at an airport kiosk at select airports from 24 hours to 45 minutes before departure for a domestic flight within Vietnam and from 24 hours to 60 minutes before departure for an international flight. 

On the Day of Travel

• (After checking in), drop off your checked baggage (if carrying) at the Bag Drop Counter.
• If you’re travelling without any checked baggage (i.e., with hand baggage only) from an airport in Vietnam, you don’t need to line up at the airport’s check-in counter—you can proceed directly to the security/immigration area.
• You’re allowed to change seats at the airport check-in counter. 

How to check in at an airport kiosk 

To check in at an airport kiosk: 

1. Select your preferred language (Vietnamese or English)
2. Enter your booking code, eTicket number, or Frequent Flyer ID if you declared it at the time of booking.
3. Select the passengers (if traveling in a group). 
4. Select your flight.
5. Select your seat/seats (optional).
6. Print your boarding pass/passes.

Kiosk check-in is available at these airports:

Lotus Lounge service will be made available to Business Class passengers and Platinum/Gold/Elite Plus members at the check-in counter.

You will not be allowed to check in at the check-in kiosk (you must check in at the airport counter) if:

1. You require Business Lounge services.
2. You’re travelling with infants below 2 years of age. 
3. You’ve been blacklisted on Vietnam Airlines.
4. Your international payment card needs to be verified.
5. You’re travelling in a group of 5 or more passengers.
6. You’ve requested a special service (other than a special meal).

5. Airport Check-in Process

Vietnam Airlines recommends that you reach the airport at least: 

• 60 minutes before departure for domestic flights. 
• 2 hours before departure for international flights. 

This will ensure you have enough time for potential traffic delays, check-in, and security procedures.

The airport check-in counters open and close at the following times:

Note

• The check-in time will be appropriately adjusted if your flight schedule changes.
• The check-in time may differ by airport and airline.
• You must reach the airport early so that you’re not late for check-in, security checks, and immigration.
• If you fail to check in, depending on the fare conditions of your ticket:

• Your ticket may be invalided for travel or become non-refundable if it is non-changeable (in which case you’ll have to repurchase your ticket). 
• You may be charged the applicable fare difference and/or change fee.

Vietnam Airlines Boarding Sequence 

The boarding sequence typically followed by Vietnam Airlines is as follows:

1. Passengers requiring mobility assistance board first.
2. Economy Class passengers board next.

Note. Business Class, Premium Economy Class passengers, Platinum/Gold/Titan members, and SkyTeam Elite Plus/Elite members are allowed to board their flights at their convenience, as long as they do it before the boarding gates close. 

Boarding Gate Closing TimeThe boarding gates at Vietnam Airlines close 15 minutes prior to departure. Passengers arriving late will not be allowed to travel.

Frequently Asked Questions on Vietnam Airlines Check-in