I tried those cheap business class flights to Vietnam. There's just one thing missing

Last month we discovered you can fly from Australia to Vietnam in business class, for around the same price as an economy Qantas flight from Sydney to Melbourne. So we decided to try "budget business class," and were stunned at what we discovered.

Vietnam is so hot right now.

Thanks to stunning beaches, rich culture, top-notch cuisine and the fact it's currently one of the cheapest destinations for Australians to travel to, bookings to Vietnam surged more than 35 per cent in 2024, according to Webjet.

Adding to the appeal is the fact you can fly there in business class for around the same as it costs to fly from Sydney to Melbourne on Qantas in economy. Vietjet, Vietnam's low-cost airline, regularly has Australia > Vietnam flights in business class for around $1100. 

On our last search, we easily found $1,160 flights in business class, from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh.

It's such a damn fine deal that I decided to check it out for ourselves. So I boarded a bright red A330 jets two weeks ago, to see if the airline that was named "safest low-cost airline" by airlineratings.com for 2025 really does offer the best value business class experience in the sky.

Image: Vietjet

Here's what "budget business class" is really like ...

Pre flight

Guests can chill at The House lounge in Sydney before their flight.

Business class passengers have a priority check-in queue, and can use the fast-track security screening lane as well. I hit duty free shopping in record time.

Your ticket also comes with lounge access – in Sydney it’s at The House, a lounge shared by a number of airlines (you can also pay to access it), with a good range of food, a bar for the all-important pre-departure Bloody Mary, and a solid barista-made coffee.

Cabin

The business class cabin in Vietjet's A330 has just 12 seats. Image: Vietjet

The business class cabin on our flight has just 12 seats. We are in the second row, which is a good spot to be – you can store your plane bag under the seat in front during landing and takeoff (something you can’t do in the front row, where you have to stow it overhead).

There is limited storage space around the seat, which would be one of the few criticisms of this business class cabin. 

The Vietjet uniforms also spark joy.

There is also a bathroom exclusively for business class passengers - not having to loiter in an aisle while you wait for the toilet is a real perk.

Seats

Image: Simone Mitchell

The seats convert to flat-lay, which is a true joy to anyone who has ever turned themselves into a pretzel trying to sleep on a long-haul economy flight.

There is also a handy reading light on a flexible arm. 

Amenities

The Vietjet amenities kit.

Quality French L'Occitane beauty products in the amenities kit was a fun discovery.

As well as a cosy blanket and pillow for napping, the tartan amenities kit had socks, eye-mask, toothbrush and toothpaste, souvenir drink coaster (?!) along with heavenly smelling L'Occitane lip balm and hand cream. Fun fact: the little zip-up bag is perfect for storing cables and chargers for future trips.

Food and drinks

Beef pho noodle soup, prawn rice paper rolls with satay dipping sauce, and a Vietnamese iced coffee. Picture: Simone Mitchell

In business class the airline promises "premium organic cuisine" and there are lots of traditional Vietnamese dishes to choose from, including a crunchy bánh mì roll, beef pho and steamed sticky rice with quail eggs, pate, and Vietnamese sausage.

The pho was surprisingly good, with lots of fresh bean shoots, lime and herbs to jazz up the flavours. It came alongside two prawn rice paper rolls with a delicious satay dipping sauce. Who knew low-cost airline food could be this good?

The meal was followed by a cheese plate and drink. When I couldn't decide between the three cocktails on offer, the flight attendant gleefully told me she would pour me all three. I thought she was joking. She was not.

Three cocktails at altitude, what could possibly go wrong ...

Other meal highlights included a condensed milk laced Vietnamese iced coffee, just before landing. The perfect pick-me-up to start your holiday.

Entertainment

No in-seat entertainment units to be found.

Here is the sticking point – there is no inflight entertainment on Vietjet. You can't even opt to pay for it. It just doesn't exist.

So if you forget to download some movies / podcasts / load up your e-reader before you fly, you’re going to have to try raw-dogging your flight.

Luggage allowance

Business class passengers get 18kg carry-on luggage, and a checked baggage allowance up to 60kg.

The verdict 

My advice would be that Vietjet business class is worth every cent, especially on the return flight to Australia. The Vietnam > Australia flights tend to be red-eye overnight flights, and being able to stretch out and sleep properly is a pleasant way to end your trip, instead of arriving home a ratty mess.

Just make sure you come armed with your own entertainment.

Vietjet Air currently operates routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, and also flies between Hanoi and Melbourne and Sydney.

The writer travelled as a guest of Vietjet.

Originally published as I tried those cheap business class flights to Vietnam. There's just one thing missing