Vietnam Airlines online check-in and boarding pass

For a Vietnam Airlines flight, online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before departure, on both domestic flights and international flights of the Vietnam Airlines group.

Once that deadline passes, things move to the airport: counters and self-service kiosks, with hours that depend on the station. On a long-haul flight departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, it's wise to arrive several hours before takeoff, since baggage drop counters close before the departure time. Check the exact time shown on your booking, and build in a margin: queues at the departure terminal grow quickly at peak times.

Boarding itself closes before the posted departure time. A closed gate does not reopen, even with a valid boarding pass in hand.

Three paths lead to the same result with Vietnam Airlines:

Online check-in generally includes seat selection among those still open. The airline also sells advance seat selection, and certain seats remain reserved depending on the fare or Lotusmiles status. Travelers flying with an infant, a pet in the cabin, special assistance, or a medical clearance are generally directed to the counter, where the file is checked by an agent.

On codeshare flights, the airline actually operating the flight handles check-in. A Vietnam Airlines ticket for a flight operated by Air France is checked in through Air France, using the booking reference issued by that carrier. The same applies with Delta Air Lines, China Airlines, or Garuda Indonesia on connecting itineraries.

Once check-in is confirmed, Vietnam Airlines issues an electronic boarding pass (by email or in the app) or a printable version. The barcode is scanned at security and again at the gate.

The mobile pass isn't accepted everywhere: depending on the airport, a paper document or a pass reissued at the counter may still be required. If in doubt, go to the Vietnam Airlines counter on arrival at the airport to have the pass printed: this is the safest option.

Two situations require a stop at the counter before security regardless:

• you have checked baggage to drop off, which must be handed in at the counter within the station's opening hours;
• your trip requires document verification (passport, visa, entry authorization), which the airline carries out on the ground for international flights.

Document requirements for domestic travel within Vietnam, a flight to Vietnam, or a flight from Vietnam abroad are detailed by the airline in its Travel Documents section. These documents are checked before boarding.

Checking in remotely doesn't remove the need to go through baggage drop. Vietnam Airlines applies allowances that vary by cabin, fare type, and route: the allowance that applies to your ticket is shown on your e-ticket and in the conditions of the fare purchased.

Carry-on baggage is also limited in number, dimensions, and weight depending on the travel class. Any excess found at the counter is charged at the airport rate; the airline also offers a prepaid baggage option in advance, generally more cost-effective than an excess fee paid at departure.

In Paris, Vietnam Airlines baggage check-in takes place at the airline's counter or its ground handler's counter, during hours specific to the day's flight: these counters open only as departure approaches.

A rejection from the system doesn't mean there's a problem with the booking. The most common causes:

• You're outside the window. Before opening or after closing, the system won't respond; the time used is the local time at the departure airport, not yours.
• Reference not recognized. A ticket bought through an agency or tour operator sometimes carries a reference different from the one in the Vietnam Airlines file: in that case, use the e-ticket number instead.
• Flight operated by another airline. See the codeshare point above; a mixed itinerary doesn't check in as a single block.
• Documents to verify. On certain international destinations, the airline sends passengers to the counter for passport and visa checks.
• Special situation. Unaccompanied minor, medical clearance, extra seat purchased, pet in the hold: handled at the airport.
• Changed or overbooked flight. In case of an unconfirmed schedule change, or a waitlist, the file must be resolved by the airline before any seat can be assigned.
• Maintenance. Vietnam Airlines sometimes announces temporary unavailability of certain online functions during specific windows; check-in becomes accessible again afterward, within the closing time limit.

Other airlines often encountered on connections, with different rules: Aeroméxico and China Eastern Airlines. iBoardingPass can carry out online check-in on your behalf, as soon as it opens, and send you your boarding pass by email.