Why did you choose to fly Vietnam Airlines via Ho Chi Minh instead of a direct flight to Phu Quoc?

Direct flights to Phu Quoc were expensive at the time of search, costing around ~$483, and weekend schedules were over ~$690. We chose this method to save costs by flying into Ho Chi Minh and then taking a domestic flight.

What is the price and characteristics of the milk tea sold on Vietnam Airlines' Ho Chi Minh-Phu Quoc domestic flight?

The milk tea is sold for 50,000 VND (approximately ~$2). The milk tea itself tasted good, but the pearls were not chewy and had a slightly hard texture.

What is the carry-on baggage allowance on Vietnam Airlines' Ho Chi Minh-Phu Quoc domestic flight, and how was the actual inspection conducted?

It appears that carry-on baggage up to 12kg is allowed. While luggage was not weighed separately during check-in, staff were seen carefully observing and checking bags during boarding.

Vietnam Airlines Review 2026: Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc Flight

Vietnam Airlines Review 2026: Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc Flight | TRVLOGUE

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Flying from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc with Vietnam Airlines

When I recently planned my trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, I opted for Vietnam Airlines. While Vietjet was another option, I decided to try something new.

The reason for this slightly indirect route was simple: direct flights to Phu Quoc were incredibly expensive at the time. A quick search showed prices around ~$483, and for weekend schedules, they easily soared past ~$690! Ouch.

However, I've found that international flights to Ho Chi Minh City often have great deals. By snagging one of those and then taking a domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc, you can often save a surprising amount of money. This trip was another successful example of that strategy.

Vietnam Airlines is, of course, Vietnam's national flag carrier. This means it's generally considered on par with major airlines like Delta or United in the US.

For domestic routes, the price difference between Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet wasn't substantial. As expected for a short domestic hop, there were no individual entertainment screens.

However, one noticeable difference was the seat pitch on Vietnam Airlines; it felt more generous than on Vietjet.

The tray table was quite slim, perfectly adequate for a quick meal or a drink. But if you're like me and like to do some work or journaling while flying, it might feel a bit small.

Before we even took off, the flight attendants handed out bottled water and wet wipes. A nice touch that definitely sets it apart from budget carriers!

For carry-on luggage, it seemed the allowance was up to 26 pounds (12kg). I had initially thought it was stricter, like 15.4 pounds (7kg) plus 4.4 pounds (2kg) for personal items, which might be the rule for Vietjet (since my overall itinerary included a Vietjet flight too).

During check-in, they didn't actually weigh my carry-on. They did attach a tag to my bag, which is standard, but usually, I've never seen them actively check it. This time, however, a staff member was standing at the boarding gate, closely observing passengers' bags. I couldn't be 100% sure if they were checking the tags, but their gaze lingered on my carry-on for a while, making me suspect they were indeed looking for something, likely those tags. I noticed mine was a bit hidden as I passed by.

We started moving about 15 minutes behind schedule, but honestly, minor delays like that are quite common and expected at airports.

Up front, there's a section that's likely a premium economy or business class cabin, which gets separated by a curtain once we're airborne. (Remember, this is a domestic flight, even for a national carrier, so don't expect a full-blown international business class experience!)

Here's another look at the seat pitch on my return flight back to Ho Chi Minh. I felt the angle might have been a bit off in the previous photo, so I wanted to capture it again for clarity.

One unique offering was milk tea for sale! It cost 50,000 Vietnamese Dong, which is roughly ~$2. On my flight from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc, I saw them selling it but wasn't sure if it was complimentary or for purchase, so I hesitated and missed the cart. Big mistake!

So, on the way back, I was ready and made sure to grab one.

I'm not entirely sure why they serve it in a bag (and why other passengers waited until landing to take theirs off the plane in the bag), but that's how it's presented.

I, however, dug right in. And I have to say, despite not having high expectations, the milk tea itself was delicious! The pearls, though, weren't the chewy kind I prefer; they had that slightly firm texture you sometimes get from less-than-stellar bubble tea shops.

Still, the good flavor of the milk tea base made it a refreshing treat.

The itinerary showed the flight duration as approximately 55-65 minutes, but it felt much shorter. The announcement for landing usually came after about 30 minutes of actual flying. So, after enjoying my milk tea, it felt like we had already arrived!

This strategy of finding a good deal on an international flight to a major hub like Ho Chi Minh City, then taking a domestic connection, has become my go-to method for traveling cheaply within Vietnam. It's surprisingly effective!

So, there you have it – my review of flying Vietnam Airlines between Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc, covering the seats, tray tables, and that surprising in-flight milk tea experience. Happy travels!