• expired

Sydney to Vietnam One Way Airfare from $0 (+ Taxes) @ Vietjet Air

917

From timeout.

Well, if this isn’t your sign to take a load off and finally book in a holiday, we don’t know what is. Vietnam’s low-cost airline Vietjet is delivering another one of their ridiculously discounted flash sales – and this time you could nab an international ticket for as little as zero bucks.

If you’re scratching your head wondering how and why this is even possible, it’s important to note that their ludicrously low fares come with a caveat. While fares are being offered up for $0, you’ll have to foot the bill for taxes and surcharges. Regardless, this is your chance to get extremely cheap fares.

Vietjet operates out of Sydney as well as Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and flies to a number of destinations throughout Vietnam and Asia. Fancy a jaunt to Da Nang, Bali or Phuket? The world is your oyster and it’ll cost you zero pearls.

Kicking off this Saturday, September 9, from 0:00 to 23:59, Vietjet will release millions – yep, millions – of tickets for 24 hours only.

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closed Comments

  • +66

    $0 fare! No thanks, I'm no fool, next week they will be paying me to travel! OZBARGAIN KING!

  • Whats the catch?

      • … Fried in Chinese spit oil.

    • No catch just low fares.

      • +4

        No low fares, just catches

    • +1

      You already caught it.

    • +7

      You have to pass through melbourne 💀

    • You've got to fly Vietjet

    • Whats the catch?

      Component Pricing. Which is common in some countries, but illegal in Australia.

      https://lawpath.com.au/blog/component-pricing-an-explainer

      https://www.accc.gov.au/business/pricing/price-displays

    • The catch is it's all a total myth, a mirage, a fable. Their website will crash the minute the 'deal' is supposed to start, and when it finally comes back online there will be no $0 tickets available at all. These clowns are so utterly incompetent (or just plane dishonest?) that I seriously doubt their ability to operate an airline safely.

  • +13

    It seems like the tax and fees will be about $173.09 PP

    • +2

      Each way?

      • +4

        Yeah, from MEL to SGN.

        If you just go on the site now, the fare break down on the side is pretty clear

        • Title says SYD.

          What am I missing?

          • @HardQuiz: Airports have tax, a crapton of tax that's not based on %. So it's 0+tax

  • +8

    I just did a dummy SYD to SGN booking for Feb and the taxes and fees alone came to $340

    • Lmao, this is it ;)

    • Hmm, it should be other way around then, $0 taxes and fees + fare

  • +5

    Adding to taxes, fees, checked bags, food, seat, air condition, seatbelt, toilet, etc. it will be $500+ guaranteed

    • +5

      You buy the food through the airline, not a true OzBargainer!

      • +3

        I will just ask for a hot water with my carry on instant noodle ;)

        • I tried this about 2 months ago flying from hcm to Mel. Brought along cup of instant noodles and plastic fork expecting crew to give me hot water but they refused so end up paying for exactly same brand of noodle from the menu at 3 times the cost. Don't know if this is new policy or safety measure but still little inconvenient. I'll still fly with them in future.

          • +2

            @duchong: 3x the price, is that all? Onboard prices are a bit ridiculous.

            You could ask for a cup of black or green tea and quickly take out the teabag.

          • @duchong: What's their reason for that!? I know someone who frequently drinks just cups of hot water instead of tea or coffee.

      • +5

        Fasting 8hrs - 10hrs isnt that long …

      • +1

        I refuse to buy food on planes. It's not like we're going to starve to death since they can't fly more than ~20 hours without refueling. It's only about 6 hours to Singapore or Philippines. So do the keto thing… eat (only) a big pork chop (no vegetables, gravy, etc) with a good 1cm or more of fat before getting on the plane and I'm only just starting to feel hungry on arrival.

  • Anyone know if this is a cheap way to get into Singapore or KL?

    • +1

      AirAsia is returning to Gold Coast airport. Likely to be some cheapish flights to Singapore or KL.

      • +1

        when?

      • +1

        Air Asia resumed the KL - Gold Coast route in April 2023 with 3 services per week.

        Unfortunately Scoot stopped flying SIN - Gold Coast in July 2023.

  • +1

    Can someone please share their experience flying through Vietjet?

    • +4

      I flew vietjet domestic in Vietnam and was pleasantly surprised. Friendly staff, new aircraft, decent food (at $2 for a main).

      Not sure about their international, but if you don't mind being penny and dimed on extras then I don't see why not, safety wise they have a fine reputation.

      • $2 for a main meal???

        • Yeah, Vietnam is cheap obviously but I was pretty surprised by their in flight meal pricing. Basic food (think Jetstar style meals) but very cheap.

          • @nigel deborah: That's nuts, I don't remember it being anywhere near that cheap on Cebu Pacific in the Philippines.

    • Yes, very budget airline - not a great experience with them on flights I have taken. I remember their flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City was hours late and then when boarding began they changed the gate without notifying anyone. Still, they got me from A to B for a minimal cost - I can't complain, but you get what you pay for.

      Also I'm a tall person, I remember thinking that the leg room area was minimal. Perhaps it's different for international.

    • Flown them heaps of times in Vietnam - never had an issue, was always very happy with the service.

    • -1

      Flown them domestically, you get what you pay for you will get from A to B.

      Rules are relaxed which was good (or in favour) for us, as we checked in more than 10 mins late after their usual checkin close time

      Then also against us, as I felt all passengers brought on more luggage than they were suppose to, as we were late we had no over head luggage space free :(

    • +3

      Flown with Vietjet ex Melbourne and also domestically in Vietnam. They were usually on time, staff speaks some English and they are generally nice. I used a 7.5kg carry on and a backpack (~5kg) for a 10 day trip and noone said a word at the Aussie check-in gates or at boarding. On domestic flights, you can do mobile check-in and that way they won't weigh your carry-on. Overall much better experience than Jetstar, for 320 dollars return, it's a no brainer.

    • Check YouTube videos, looks like Jetstar basically.

    • +2

      Took Vietjet internationally to Vietnam, travelled domestically and came back with them. There was no inflight entertainment, downloaded shows on phone/podcasts/used my Kindle. Had to pay before hand for the food, which was terrible. For context, I hate the reheated airplane food in general. Resorted to buying Pho on the plane which comes in a Styrofoam container similar to 2 min noodles. Highly recommend eating before your flight. Overall flight was pretty smooth, no delays, it took me and brought me back in one piece, for a much cheaper price compared to the main carriers.

    • Well, it was known as a 'sorry airline' in VN.

      As in, "sorry, your flight is delayed" etc.

      But then again, look at Qantas. Scheduling flights they never intended to fly…

      And I don't know internationally. It's can be a stampede on check-in domestically in VN, but I doubt it would be the same coming back internationally.

      PS I take some fruit, nuts etc on for food. A sandwich if I'm feeling fancy. It's not a long flight.

  • +23

    Neg for misleading post title. Mandatory taxes and surcharges (e.g. GST) aren't excluded from the price of any other deal, and airline tickets shouldn't be exempt from this. In fact, it's illegal for Australian airlines to advertise ticket prices that don't include all fees and taxes.

    • Agreed

    • +12

      *It's not an Australian airline or site.
      Australian law doesn't apply.
      Same as buying from overseas airline sites - plus taxes💰

      So always be careful to check actual
      prices for overseas travel offers!!

      • -1

        then we need to change the laws to include those flights in and out Oz

        • +1

          You want the Australian govt to change overseas laws governing advertising & websites??
          Good luck there!

          It took a lot of campaigning to change local rules for advertising & listing tax in prices within Australia!!

          My experience booking a flight on Australian airline on their overseas site - prices were so low, until final price added taxes!!
          As other airlines advertise price + tax there, including tax in price would make them uncompetitive.

          • @INFIDEL: I mean, is it that hard to require airlines disclose full price, including taxes and fees if they want to flight to and out of OZ?

            • @Dealor: They do - when you choose your date and flights, the full fare including fees and taxes is shown.

            • @Dealor: Contact them & tell them that😉

              As they compete with other airlines in Asia that don't disclose taxes up front, it wouldn't be to their advantage.

              BUT, if they operated an .au site, that would be possible. But it would likely increase their costs & would mean being under Australia Laws (& taxes)…
              Australia would be a small part of their operation to make a major change.

              Tell us how your request that the airline change😄

      • What makes you think international business are exempt from ACL when operating in Australia??

        There are consumer rights if a travel service is delayed or cancelled. These basic consumer rights, known as consumer guarantees, apply to: travel services within Australia. travel services provided by international businesses that depart Australia.

        https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/specific-products-and-acti…

        ACL applies to anyone conducting business in Australia, this can include businesses that are overseas.

        https://business.gov.au/legal/fair-trading/australian-consum…

        • What makes you think the ACCC can change practices of overseas businesses with no presence here?

          Especially as the issue here is disclosing taxes up front on an overseas website. That's what we expect here, but if you've booked on overseas sites - you'd know that's not necessarily the usual practice.

          Those ACCC excerpts are good in theory, BUT…
          There's a huge difference from the ACCC saying there is protection for consumers here with overseas travel departing here, & being able to do anything about it!

          ACCC has enough problems having an effect on Australian based businesses like Qantas! That usually means taking the business to Australian courts - which have no jurisdiction in other countries.

          The ACCC would be very unlikely to take an expensive case against an overseas business, when the outcome is likely unenforceable.


          It's not enough to make important sounding rules & possible penalties… They need to be enforceable!

          Unenforceable penalties are treated like a joke by some.
          For example… Overseas backpackers used to brag about the number of speeding fines clocked up here. Sure we had rules & penalties, but those were unenforceable when they returned overseas🤔

    • -2

      Not an Aussie airline and timeout didn't indicate what the taxes were either. I imagine it varies depending on destination too.

        • +7

          Seems you don't understand international business & laws.

          They sell on a .com website which can be accessed anywhere. Australia has no jurisdiction.

          They advertise overseas, competing with other airlines that also don't disclose taxes, until you book.

          Selling flights that land in Australia is not operating a business here. They're not governed by Australian law, much beyond issues around flight paths & landing rights.

          • +1

            @INFIDEL: From the ACCC directly:
            When an online business is based overseas and provides goods or services directly to consumers in Australia, the business must follow the Australian Consumer Law. This includes rules on the consumer guarantees.

            Nothing is mentioned about needing a .com.au website on this page. It does mention that seeking redress is hard if based overseas.
            https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-servic…

            • @mvinaus:

              provides goods or services directly to consumers in Australia

              The key is the use of the word "directly".
              That is usually through a business presence here, that this airline doesn't have.

              I doubt they are advertising the price before tax directly to Australians. Rather people are personally promoting the tax free price, like here.

              Legally, it would be a very different matter if this airline advertised locally using a tax free price!!!
              That would… provides goods or services directly to consumers in Australia!

              We (like in most of the world) only can go to their international website, to purchase flights.


              A bit like expecting Australian Consumer Law (mainly used for guarantees on products, & displayed / advertised pricing on products in stores & online here) to apply to purchases from Aliexpress. Good luck! Australia has no jurisdiction.

              Ask the ACCC for clarification if that's important to you.
              Qantas has been dragging their feet on major consumer issues, so doubt the ACCC will take action on your your interpretation. Qantas is being taken to court on a more serious consumer issue.

              • @INFIDEL: I understand your point but I believe you are restricting the ACL too narrowly.

                Theoretically if I am in Australia and I buy a product from their international site, this is a transaction that is covered by the ACL. Just the fact that I am in Australia is enough to trigger the coverage of the ACL.

                The word directly is used because if I bought a product and it was delivered to an address overseas then shipped to me it would not be covered under the ACL.

                In practice for sites like you mention aliexpress, this is almost impossible to enforce. If they have no presence here it is extremely difficult to implement enforcement action. The ACCC will only choose the battles it has a reasonable chance of winning as it has limited funding.

                I will mention that I have multiple successes with similar claims to various purchases from overseas when I go through the mastercard/visa dispute resolution process. Companies overseas can opt out of ACL coverage by not dealing with any customers from Australia by limiting IP address and not shipping any products to australia (like Best Buy).

                • +1

                  @mvinaus: Yes, CC chargeback etc works because they have almost international coverage.
                  Money us transferred through their system.
                  Merchants need to be able to use their system, to sell to many customers.
                  They have power because of that.

                  ACCC can only enforce its tough sounding legislation, through the Australian courts. That power is limited with overseas businesses (with no presence or assets here).


                  I've taken a business to court, settled out of court in arbitration.

                  Sometimes the only leverage against an intransigent business is… Loss of reputation! (Bad publicity.)
                  So I signed a NDA (non disclosure agreement) they wanted & they agreed to all my conditions. Cost them heaps.

                  I called up help from a Govt Department that provided legal & other assistance (seen as a public interest case) & support from similar businesses who were opposed to the business practices of the business in question.

                  Best not to take on a case alone.
                  Understand the terrain (the business, the industry, regulators & legal system, & who may assist your case.)


                  In a case against a restaurant, the State Office of Fair Trading gave me limited support but supplied valuable information from other consumers who had given up the fight to be reimbursed.

                  I won, which surprised staff at the Govt body. Only then they told me it was "owned by the Mafia"😜


                  In a complaint to an ombudsman, the office staff refused to lodge my complaint. The business had set out to damage my reputation, to protect theirs.
                  I gained access to my file in the business, through a helpful staff member of the ombudsman. Their fraudulent allegation was exposed. Added proof to my case, which I won🎉

                  But when I posted merely that I had a win against the business on a website, the business took legal action the site owner & me. The comment was removed. I was overseas, so action against me was pointless😉


                  But fighting such cases is very draining & time consuming. The first matter took 18 months to resolve!

                  Authorities often don't have resources to take on many cases. Especially the ones I took on.

                  They are unlikely to take on a case if success is unlikely!!! Or if the outcome is unenforceable!

                  Taught me a lot, but am unlikely to do it again!

        • -1

          Yeh, OP could have at least posted an example of full taxes and other hidden costs, and links to flight T&Cs exclusions etc.

    • +6

      Waiting for this comment.
      Imagine invoking accc against VIET JET.
      LMAO

      • +2

        Imagine totally missing the point of my comment. Just because Viet Jet's dodgy advertising practices can't be enforced by the ACCC, doesn't mean we should blindly accept them on OzBargain.

        • +1

          yeah the extra fees should be in the title as it is misleading to US, the users of this site, the poster or the admins can ammend that, but you specifically invoked the accc.

          • +3

            @TsunamiInTheHouse: I 'invoked' the ACCC to illustrate the point that this sort of thing is so dodgy that Australian airlines are prohibited from doing it. We, the users of this site, deserve better. If you're upset because you think I was trying to make another point then please re-read my original comment.

      • +2

        What makes you think you can't complain to the ACCC won't be interested in complaints about an airline which operates in and out of this country, especially in the current environment?

    • +1

      Neg for misleading post title

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/help:voting_guidelines

      Incorrect title use report button.

    • +1

      *Gerry Harvey enters the chat.

  • +2

    Their website is confusing as hell.

  • Flew them within Asia without issue. Vietnam to Thailand.

  • In the end it's the same price as standard Scoot deals which have been available for a month.

  • Question for the OP.
    If flights are cancelled will vietjet refund taxes or claim no responsibility?

    However, redress is not provided if the damage is due to uncontrollable circumstances, such as bad weather conditions, unforeseen maintenance required for safe flight operations, natural disasters issues with flight connections, etc

    • It's normal for weather issues to not be the airline's responsibility, that's what travel insurance is for (this seems to be in line with Australian law and many places around the world). But maintanence should be on them and many cheap travel insurance policies don't cover maintenance issues for this reason.

      • https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/specific-products-and-acti…

        American federal law is unequivocal. Refund is guaranteed.
        https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/flight-canceled-entitled-ref…

        EU law is also rock solid, depending on particular circumstances which most would understand:
        https://www.bottonline.co.uk/flight-delay-compensation/claim…

        The questions here are: (1) will this budget airline use "weather" as an excuse for cancelling flights and then fob customers off regarding tax refunds; (2) who has authority over them? They mention a South Korean entity as arbiter over dispute appeals which seems odd to begin with. Most fliers will probably have no problems but best to be aware and possibly beware.

        • The ACC link specifically mentions there are no refunds/replacements if passengers "miss their travel service due to no fault of the travel service provider", which is where weather falls into. Thats the standpoint of most of the world. The EU and US have the best consumer laws realting to airtravel and are exceptions not the norm.

          Anyway, who travels overseas without travel insurance? I dont think I've seen a travel insurance policy that doesnt cover weather related delays/cancellations because its common for the airline not to cover it (outside of EU and US).

          The bigger worry is the mechanical issues as that is not covered by many travel insurance policies due to it being within the airline's control and therefore usually the airline's responsibility. Best to just find a travel insurance that does cover it, but there are only a few from what I've seen.

          • @CheapBrah: If you look at Australian airline policies you will find that they almost invariably cover weather delay compensation. That may be as simple as meals or overnight accommodation. They will also consider refunds in certain situations. In the case of the QANTAS group (and likely most others) they rely on consumers giving up in lieu of taking further action. THAT is why complaining to the ACCC is important. They log ALL complaints but look at the big picture where egregious behaviour which an airline knows about, or should know about, is involved.

            From the ACCC link:
            Airline compensation policies
            Most airlines that operate in Australia have a compensation policy published on their website. These policies set out the compensation and other help that an airline may provide to consumers if a flight is delayed or cancelled. This might include accommodation and meal costs.

            Some airlines may give different levels of compensation and help. This will depend on whether the cancellation or delay was within the airline's control.

            Airlines should be proactive and truthful in telling consumers the reasons a flight is delayed or cancelled. They should also tell consumers what compensation they may be entitled to under both the airline’s policy and the consumer guarantees.

            A consumer’s rights under an airline compensation policy are on top of their rights under consumer guarantees. An airline’s policy can’t take away consumer guarantee rights.

  • SO YOU Will be going noo where! then they offer you a credit! NO THX

    • and the gov thank you for the contribution of taxes and Sydney airport welcome your fees…

  • Anyone actually flown to VN with them? Care to review and compare to Jetstar if you can? Flown Jetstar direct last time and it was ok.. it was around 300 return a few years ago

    • Know someone just flied with them. The plane was small and very stuffy. Late night landing and take off times compared to Jetstar.

    • I flew with them from Melbourne to Ho Chi and it was all good. They were on time, check-in was quick and they didn't mock around with my carry-ons like Jetstar usually.

      For a tall person, it's probably not the comfiest flight, but overall it's better than the Scoot/Jetstar duo IMO.

  • -2

    Heard it's absolutely terrible. They just tell you it's overbooked and you need to wait for the next flight when you arrive at the airport.

    • There's a clue in the "millions of tickets" statement.

      • +1

        Marginally implausible to say the least.

  • is it safe?

    • -1

      nah vietjet has a 100% death rate onboard

      • +2

        It is a good question; don't bully. There is something called airline safety rating, and this one scores 7/7.

        https://www.airlineratings.com/ratings/vietjet-air/

        • +1

          Flying has been safer than driving a car globally for at least the last two decades. Questioning safety if flying is definitely mockable

          • +1

            @bidam1: I love this quote dreamed up by airlines. Except car accidents aren't guaranteed to kill 100% of people onboard (up to 850 people) in one go. Based on the fact most car accidents won't kill more than a dozen people, promoting the safety of flying with this statement is definitely mockable TOO. ;-D

            • @[Deactivated]: lol you're wrong once again - Your chances of dying when getting into a car as an absolute risk number are far higher than getting on the plane. Go do your research

              • @bidam1: No, YOU just didn't bother READING (again?).

                NO car crash can kill ~400 to ~850 people, nor is any car crash GUARANTEED to kill EVERY passenger on board. This infobyte they use to distract people from these facts ignores yet another fact, that there's plenty you can do to be the one who never gets into those car accidents that do happen, by merely monitoring the behaviour of other drivers, maintaining a safe distance either back from all other cars, or being the one car ahead of everyone else. None of these are true in an Airbus unless you are the pilot, have a parachute at the ready, and some plan to exit the plane without the passengers forcing you back into the cockpit to try and save their lives.

                Btw… I don't know what your "again" refers to, because I usually block humourless nitpickers. I'm about to solve that error in judgement right now. So do have the last word that I'll never see.

                • -1

                  @[Deactivated]: It's irrelevant tho. As an individual, your chance of dying are higher getting in a car compared to any plane in 2023. Questioning the safety of a modern airline is therefore dumb.

            • +1

              @[Deactivated]: There is also the fact that you have some control in a motor vehicle accident. The death rate there is increased by alcohol, speed, stupidity, stubbornness, etc. - avoid all those things (yes, can't control others of course) and your odds are way better.

  • what countries included?

    • australia and vietnam

      • are you sure? description mentions: the airline 'flies to a number of destinations throughout Vietnam and Asia.' and that it'll 'cost you zero pearls.;

        • +2

          that's great. i just let you know what is included, not what it is limited too :)

  • +2

    $0*
    *Not $0

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