VietJet Air has quickly become one of Southeast Asia’s most popular low-cost carriers, flying over 20 million passengers annually from its hubs in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to destinations across Vietnam, China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. Like most budget airlines, VietJet’s base fares are often startlingly low, think VND 0 promotions or one-way fares from S$30, but the real cost of your trip depends heavily on which add-ons you select during booking. With more than a dozen optional extras available, from checked baggage and seat selection to meals, priority boarding, travel insurance, and even “Combo” packages, it is easy to accidentally double your ticket price if you are not careful. This article separates the genuine value-adds from the money traps, drawing on real prices, passenger experiences, and carrier policies so you can make informed decisions next time you fly VietJet.

Understanding VietJet’s Fare Structure

Before evaluating any add-on, it is essential to understand VietJet’s base fare types. VietJet offers two main fare families: Eco (the standard budget fare) and Deluxe (a slightly upgraded fare that includes some extras). As of early 2025, the Eco fare includes a personal item (up to 7 kg, with dimensions 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm) and a small cabin bag (up to 3 kg, 40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm). No checked baggage, no meal, no seat selection, and no priority boarding are included. The Deluxe fare, which typically costs between S$20 and S$60 more per person per leg depending on the route, includes:

  • One checked bag up to 20 kg
  • A meal and a drink
  • Free standard seat selection
  • Priority boarding
  • Flexible ticket changes (with fare difference payable)

If you would normally purchase a checked bag plus a meal, the Deluxe fare often represents a small net saving of roughly S$5 to S$15, while also giving you priority boarding and flexibility. However, if you travel light and do not need a meal, the Eco fare plus a la carte add-ons is usually cheaper. For a comprehensive overview of how VietJet compares with other low-cost carriers in the region, see our complete guide to flying low-cost carriers from Singapore and the region.

Checked Baggage: The Most Important Add-On for Most Travellers

Checked baggage is by far the most commonly purchased add-on on VietJet, and for good reason: most travellers on routes longer than two hours, or those travelling with family, will need more than a 7 kg personal item and 3 kg cabin bag. VietJet charges for checked baggage by weight tier, and the prices vary depending on whether you purchase during the initial booking, after booking via the website, or at the airport.

Baggage Tiers and Prices (from Ho Chi Minh City / Hanoi, indicative in S$)

  • 15 kg: S$12, S$18 if added during booking; S$20, S$30 if added later online; S$35, S$50 at the airport
  • 20 kg: S$16, S$22 during booking; S$25, S$35 later online; S$45, S$60 at airport
  • 25 kg: S$20, S$28 during booking; S$30, S$40 later; S$50, S$70 at airport
  • 30 kg: S$25, S$35 during booking; S$35, S$50 later; S$60, S$80 at airport
  • 35 kg: S$30, S$40 during booking; S$40, S$55 later; S$70, S$90 at airport
  • 40 kg: S$35, S$48 during booking; S$45, S$60 later; S$80, S$100 at airport

These prices are for domestic Vietnamese routes and short-haul international routes (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur). For longer routes (e.g., Hanoi to Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo), expect an additional S$5, S$15 per tier. Importantly, the cheapest time to add baggage is during the initial booking process. If you skip this step, you can still add baggage up to 4 hours before departure via the VietJet website or app, but the price will be roughly 40-60% higher. Purchasing at the airport check-in counter is the most expensive option and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Value verdict: High value for most travellers. If you know you will check a bag, add at least 15 kg or 20 kg during booking. The per-kg cost at the lowest tier (15 kg) is often the best value per kilogram. However, if you and your travel partner can share a single checked bag, consider one person adding 20 kg and the other travelling with only cabin bags, this can save S$10, S$20 per round trip. For a detailed look at VietJet’s baggage policies and fees, refer to our dedicated guide: VietJet Baggage Fees 2024.

Seat Selection: When Is It Worth Paying For?

VietJet offers several categories of seat selection, each with its own price. Seat selection is optional for Eco passengers, if you do not pay, VietJet’s system will assign you a seat at check-in, typically a middle seat at the back. If you are travelling with companions and want to sit together, or if you simply want an aisle or window seat, paying for selection can be worth it.

Seat Categories and Typical Prices (per person, per leg, during booking)

  • Standard seat (rows 20 onward, middle or window): S$3, S$6
  • Standard seat (aisle): S$4, S$8
  • Front zone seat (rows 2-6): S$8, S$15
  • Extra-legroom seat (rows 1, 7, and exit rows): S$12, S$25

Row 1 (bulkhead) offers significantly more legroom but often lacks under-seat storage during takeoff and landing. Exit rows (typically row 7 on most A320 aircraft) also provide extra legroom, but passengers seated there must be willing and able to assist in an emergency, a requirement that VietJet enforces at check-in. If you are tall, elderly, or simply value space, the extra-legroom seat is the only physical upgrade on VietJet that can genuinely improve comfort.

Value verdict: Low value for solo travellers who don’t care about seat location; medium value for groups. If you are travelling alone and just want a window or aisle, paying S$4, S$8 is not unreasonable, but if the flight is not full, you may be able to snag an empty seat row after boarding. For couples or families who want to sit together, paying for standard seats is the most reliable method, as VietJet’s free check-in assignment often splits groups. For a broader comparison of seat selection practices across airlines, see Scoot Seat Selection Tips.

Meals and Snacks: Do You Really Need to Pre-Order?

VietJet offers a buy-on-board menu for all passengers, but pre-ordering a meal during booking or later online can save you money and ensure availability. The airline’s hot meal options, branded as “VietJet Sky Food,” include dishes such as cơm gà xào sả ớt (lemongrass chicken with rice), bún thịt nướng (grilled pork with noodles), and international options like spaghetti Bolognese or stir-fried beef with jasmine rice.

Meal Prices

  • Pre-ordered hot meal (including a 500 ml drink): S$7, S$10 (VND 120,000-180,000)
  • Bought on board: S$10, S$14 (VND 180,000-250,000)
  • Snack box (e.g., sandwiches, pastries): S$4, S$6 pre-order; S$6, S$9 on board
  • Beverages (soft drinks, water, coffee): S$2, S$4 on board

On shorter flights under 2 hours (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, or Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City), the meal service is limited to snack boxes and beverages. On longer flights (e.g., Hanoi to Seoul, 4.5 hours), full hot meals are available. Value verdict: Low to medium value. The cost of a hot meal on the ground at the airport is typically higher than S$7, S$10, but many travellers prefer to eat before departure. If you know you will be hungry and the flight is during a meal time, pre-ordering saves you about 30-40% versus buying on board. However, the quality of VietJet’s pre-booked meals is average, comparable to airline meal quality on other LCCs like AirAsia or Jetstar Asia. See our AirAsia Prebooked Meals Review for a similar assessment. If you are on a very tight budget, skip the meal add-on and bring your own empty water bottle to fill after security.

Priority Boarding and “Combo” Packages

VietJet offers a Priority Boarding add-on that includes priority check-in lane, priority boarding (usually via Gate 1), and hand-carry luggage tagged as priority. The price is typically S$8, S$15 per person per leg. Unlike some airlines such as Jetstar Asia, VietJet’s priority boarding does not include an extra cabin bag allowance, you are still limited to 7 kg + 3 kg.

VietJet also sells “Combo” packages that bundle priority boarding with a meal and a checked bag. These combos are often marketed as “SkyBoss” or “Business” but are effectively the same as the Deluxe fare mentioned earlier. For example, a typical Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok round trip might list the Deluxe fare at S$120, while the Eco fare plus a 20 kg bag (S$18), a meal (S$8), and priority boarding (S$10) totals S$126. In this case, the bundled Deluxe fare saves about S$6 and adds ticket flexibility.

Value verdict: Low value for priority boarding alone; medium value for bundles (Deluxe fare). If you are a frequent flyer who carries expensive electronics or simply wants to board early to secure overhead bin space, priority boarding can be useful, especially on full flights. However, most VietJet passengers find that the extra S$10, S$15 is not worth it for a short haul. Far more valuable is the Deluxe fare bundle if you would buy a bag, a meal, and want seat selection anyway. Check the bundle price against a la carte costs before you click. For more on how other carriers handle priority, see Jetstar Asia Priority Boarding.

Travel Insurance: A Small Price for Peace of Mind

VietJet offers an add-on travel insurance policy underwritten by a Vietnamese insurer. The cost is typically S$6, S$12 per person per one-way trip, or S$12, S$20 for a round trip. Coverage includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost baggage, and medical expenses up to US$20,000.

Value verdict: High value for travellers without existing travel insurance; low value for those with annual policies. At S$6, S$12 per flight, VietJet’s insurance is relatively cheap compared to standalone policies that cost S$40, S$80 for a week-long trip. However, the coverage limits are modest, medical evacuation and high-cost medical care may not be fully covered. If you already hold an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy (common among frequent flyers), this add-on is redundant. But if you are a budget traveller making a single trip and do not have insurance, it is a reasonable option for basic protection. Remember that you can often purchase a third-party policy at a similar price with better coverage (e.g., from insurers like AXA, AIG, or local providers in Vietnam).

Add-Ons That Are Almost Never Worth It

Not all VietJet add-ons deliver value. The following extras are generally better skipped:

  • Extra cabin bag (previously offered as “SkyCare” or similar): VietJet does not currently sell a separate add-on for a larger cabin bag. You are limited to 7 kg + 3 kg. If you need more cabin allowance, you must check a bag. Be aware that VietJet is strict about bag dimensions at the gate, see Scoot Cabin Baggage Rules 2024 for a comparable enforcement policy.
  • Inflight Wi-Fi: VietJet does not offer inflight Wi-Fi on most aircraft. There is no add-on to purchase. Some newer A321neo aircraft may have portal-based entertainment but no connectivity.
  • Lounge access: VietJet offers lounge access at certain airports (e.g., Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City) for an extra S$15, S$25. Unless you have a long layover or need a quiet space to work, this is expensive relative to the short-haul nature of most VietJet flights.
  • Priority baggage delivery: VietJet does not offer a separate priority baggage tag outside of the priority boarding package. Even with priority, baggage delivery is rarely significantly faster.
  • Flexi/changeable fare upgrade post-booking: VietJet charges a fee to change tickets (S$30, S$50 per leg plus fare difference). There is no affordable “flexi” add-on that reduces change fees significantly; the Deluxe fare itself includes flexible changes, but if you buy Eco, you are stuck with high change fees.

Practical Strategies to Minimize Add-On Costs

To get the most value out of your VietJet booking, consider the following strategies:

  1. Add checked baggage during the booking. The price jump from booking to post-booking is steep. If you are certain you will check a bag, select the tier that matches your needs (15 kg or 20 kg for most solo travellers).
  2. Consider the Deluxe fare if you plan to buy a bag, meal, and seat. As shown earlier, the bundled Deluxe fare often comes out slightly cheaper than a la carte and adds flexibility.
  3. Pre-order meals on long flights (over 3 hours) if you dislike airport food. For short flights (under 2 hours), skip the meal and eat before departure.
  4. Do not pay for seat selection if you are solo and not picky. You can try to change your seat at online check-in (24 hours before departure) for free, see VietJet Check-In Procedure for details. Sometimes better seats are released.
  5. Skip priority boarding unless you board last and struggle for bin space. In most cases, overhead bin space is sufficient if you board on time.
  6. Check your existing travel insurance before buying VietJet’s add-on. If you already have coverage, you are wasting money.
  7. Book as a group under one booking reference. This increases the chance that the system assigns you seats together without paying for selection.

For a deeper look into low-cost carrier booking tactics, see VietJet: Book Like a Pro.

Summary Table: VietJet Add-Ons and Value Rating

The following table summarises the value rating for each major add-on:

Add-On Typical Price (S$) Value Rating Notes
Checked baggage (15-20 kg, pre-booked) S$12, S$22 High Essential for most; buy during booking.
Checked baggage (25-40 kg, pre-booked) S$20, S$48 Medium Only needed for heavy packers or families.
Standard seat selection S$3, S$8 Low, Medium Worth it for groups; skip if solo.
Extra-legroom seat S$12, S$25 Medium Good for tall passengers.
Pre-booked meal (hot) S$7, S$10 Low, Medium Saves ~30% vs onboard; quality average.
Priority boarding S$8, S$15 Low Usually not needed on short haul.
Deluxe fare bundle S$20, S$60 extra High (if you want bag + meal + seat) Compare with a la carte.
Travel insurance (single trip) S$6, S$20 High (for uninsured); Low (if insured) Cheap but limited coverage.
Lounge access S$15, S$25 Low Expensive relative to short flights.

Final Thoughts

VietJet Air’s add-on ecosystem is designed to make you feel like you are getting a deal while nudging you toward higher spending. By understanding the true cost of each extra and comparing bundled fares against a la carte prices, you can keep your total outlay low without sacrificing necessary comfort. The key takeaways are simple: pre-book checked baggage at the lowest tier you need, skip seat selection if you are flexible, skip priority boarding unless you are in a hurry, and buy the Deluxe fare only if it matches your intended add-on list. For travellers who follow these guidelines, VietJet remains an excellent value proposition, especially on routes where base fares can dip as low as S$0 (plus taxes and fees). As with all low-cost carriers, the golden rule is to decide before you click. For more advice on booking low-cost flights in Asia, browse our complete guide to flying low-cost carriers from Singapore and the region.

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