Economy Class
Vietnam Airlines offers complimentary meals and beverages on most flights, featuring a mix of Vietnamese delicacies and international cuisine.
Service varies by flight duration and route type – here’s exactly what to expect.
What to Expect
| Flight Type | Meal Service | Beverage Service |
|---|---|---|
| Short-haul (up to 1.5 hours) | Fresh sandwiches | Full beverage service |
| Medium-haul (1.5+ hours) | Hot meals, choice of 2 main dishes | Full beverage service |
| Asian routes (3+ hours) | 1 meal service + Vietnamese specialities | Full beverages + wine service |
| Long-haul (Europe, Australia) | 2+ meal services + snacks | Premium international wines + full service |
Economy Class Dining Experience
Vietnamese Culinary Focus
Vietnam Airlines features authentic Vietnamese delicacies alongside international cuisine, with menus frequently updated.
Signature Items
Economy class passengers enjoy premium touches, such as fresh croissants served during breakfast services.
Service Quality
The airline focuses on delivering nutritious and flavorful meals that represent both Vietnamese traditions and international culinary standards.
Beverages
Vietnam Airlines offers carefully selected wines from renowned vineyards on international flights that are over 3 hours long.
Wine Policy
Wine service is only available on flights longer than 3 hours, ensuring that proper service standards and passenger experience are maintained.
Full Selection
Vietnam Airlines offers a variety of beverages, including cocktails, beer, carbonated soft drinks, canned juices, milk, tea, coffee, and purified water, on all applicable flights.
Special Meals
| Meal Type | Availability | Advance Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Standard special meals | Flights with meal service only | 24+ hours |
| Kosher meals (KSML) | Limited routes – check availability | 72+ hours |
Special Meal List
IATA Code: VJML
The VJML or vegetarian Jain is a meal option for passengers who are part of the Jain community.
IATA Code: VGML
The VGML or vegetarian meal is a meal option for passengers who wish to consume meals free of animal products. Vegans and vegetarians can order this option on their next flight, it is quite a standard meal option that is widely available for you to pre-order.
IATA Code: VLML
The VLML or vegetarian lacto ovo meal is a vegetarian special meal with the added addition of eggs and dairy.
IATA Code: VOML
The VOML or vegetarian oriental meal is a vegetarian special meal for passengers who prefer an oriental style meal. It won’t contain any animal products, animal-derived ingredients, eggs, or dairy products.
IATA Code: AVML
This Indian-style vegetarian meal features authentic spices, proper seasonings, and ingredients like paneer and basmati rice, making it worth pre-ordering. Here’s everything you need to know about getting the AVML on your next flight.
IATA Code: HNML
The HNML or Hindu Non-Vegetarian is a meal for people who follow Hindu custom. Meals are non-vegetarian and cooked Indian style. It’s one of those special meals that confuses a lot of people, people assume because it’s called Hindu that it’s vegetarian but the N stands for non-vegetarian.
IATA Code: MOML
The MOML or Muslim is a meal that is prepared in accordance with the Islamic tradition and custom. No Haram (forbidden) products will be used in these meals including pork products, gelatin, alcohol, extracted flavouring from alcohol and non-halal prepared meats.
IATA Code: BBML
The BBML or Baby Meal can be ordered for infants under 2 years of age (depending on the airline, some airlines will only supply the BBML to an infant up to 10 months only) and will normally consist of pre-packaged baby meal products.
IATA Code: chml
The CHML, or Children’s Meal, is an airline meal code used to request food for young travellers, typically aged between 2 to 12 years.
IATA Code: BLML
The BLML (Bland Meal) is your safest option when you need gentle, easily digestible food during flight. This specialised meal focuses on simple, stomach friendly ingredients that won’t trigger digestive problems at 35,000 feet.
IATA Code: DBML
The DBML or Diabetic Meal should be ordered by those who suffer from diabetes (high sugar levels). It’s a low sugar meal that contains minimal salt, low-fat products, grilled white meat, high fibre fruits and vegetables, cereals and diabetic friendly products like sugar-free jam.
IATA Code: GFML
The GFML or Gluten-Free meal is designed for those who suffer from celiac disease or can’t tolerate gluten in their diet. Grains such as wheat, rye, oats, bran and barley are eliminated from these special meals as well as flours starches and semolina.
IATA Code: LCML
The LCML or Low-Calorie meal is a meal of low levels of calories and suited to people who are on a low-calorie diet. Some airlines aim to have no more than 400 calories per meal, but this will vary from airline to airline.
IATA Code: LFML
The LFML or Low Fat meal is a meal of limited fat and cholesterol suited to people who wish to follow a low-fat restricted diet.
IATA Code: LSML
The LSML or Low Salt meal is suited for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, fluid retention or kidney problems. No salt will be used during the preparation of food, and airlines try to avoid using food that contains added salt.
IATA Code: NLML
The NLNL or Non-Lactose meal is a lactose-free meal for people who are allergic or intolerant to milk and milk products, or those suffering from low lactose levels.
IATA Code: FPML
The FPML or Fruit Platter meal may be ordered by people who are fasting, or perhaps vegan/gluten-free options are not available and this special meal fits the requirement. Generally, the FPML will contain fresh seasonal fruit only, and it may contain dried fruit without sulphites.
IATA Code: RVML
The RVML or raw vegetarian meal is a meal consisting of only raw fruits and vegetables.
IATA Code: SFML
The SFML or Seafood meal is a meal option for passengers who wish to only eat seafood. These types of meals are becoming rarer on most airlines worldwide, it’s an expensive special meal to create and not always offered.
How to Request
Online: “Manage Booking” function on the Vietnam Airlines website.
Phone: 1900 1100 (Vietnam) or +84-24-3832-0320 (international).
At the ticket office or call centre.
FAQs
Can I request special meals on Vietnam Airlines?
Yes, Vietnam Airlines allows passengers to request special meals to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences.
Options include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, and meals for specific medical conditions. These requests should be made at least 24 hours before the flight departure.
Are drinks complimentary on Vietnam Airlines flights?
Yes, Vietnam Airlines provides complimentary drinks on their flights. This includes a selection of soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer.
Is alcohol served on Vietnam Airlines flights?
Yes, Vietnam Airlines serves alcohol on their flights. Passengers can choose from a selection of wines, beers, and spirits. Alcoholic beverages are generally complimentary
How often are meals served on long-haul Vietnam Airlines flights?
On long-haul flights, Vietnam Airlines typically serves multiple meals, including a main meal after takeoff, a second meal before landing, and snacks in between.
About Vietnam Airlines
- Founded: 1956
- Airline Alliance: SkyTeam
- Website: https://www.vietnamairlines.com
