Vietnam Airlines (VN) is the flag carrier of Vietnam and one of the country’s most recognised airlines. Based primarily at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the airline operates an extensive domestic and international network and has built a reputation around its full-service model. Its fleet includes Airbus A321s for regional flying as well as Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s for longer international routes.
For pilots, Vietnam Airlines offers the chance to build a career across both narrow-body and wide-body operations. The airline employs locally based pilots as well as experienced foreign flight crew on separate contracts, meaning that salaries can vary quite significantly depending on rank, aircraft type, seniority and employment arrangement.
Vietnam Airlines Pilot Salary in 2026
In 2026, Vietnam Airlines pilot salaries remain competitive within the Vietnamese aviation market. Experienced captains operating wide-body aircraft can command particularly strong packages, while first officers can increase their earnings considerably as they gain experience and progress onto larger aircraft.
Current recruitment activity also includes Boeing 787 first officers, A350 captains and A321 captains, highlighting the airline’s continuing demand for experienced pilots.
Vietnam Airlines First Officer Salary
A Vietnam Airlines first officer can expect to earn approximately VNĐ80 million to VNĐ150 million per month in 2026, depending on experience, aircraft, and flying hours. That represents approximately VNĐ960 million to VNĐ1.8 billion per year, or around USD 36,000 to USD 68,000.
The difference between junior and experienced first officers can be substantial. Pilots moving onto wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 generally have greater earning potential than those at the beginning of their career on the A321.
Previous Vietnam Airlines salary figures put Vietnamese A321 first officers at around VNĐ100 million to VNĐ135 million per month, while A350 and Boeing 787 first officers were reported at approximately VNĐ124 million to VNĐ150 million.
Current recruitment also demonstrates the level of experience expected for some wide-body positions. Vietnam Airlines’ B787 first officer vacancies have called for at least 1,500 total flight hours and 1,000 hours on the Boeing 787, together with a valid ATPL or applicable licence, type rating and Class 1 medical.
Vietnam Airlines Captain Salary
A Vietnam Airlines captain can earn approximately VNĐ180 million to VNĐ300 million per month in 2026, depending on aircraft type, seniority, flying hours and the terms of the individual contract. This works out at roughly VNĐ2.16 billion to VNĐ3.6 billion per year, or approximately USD 81,000 to USD 136,000.
The Airbus A321 and long-haul aircraft do not necessarily carry identical salary structures. Historical Vietnam Airlines figures put Vietnamese A321 captains at around VNĐ176 million to VNĐ236 million per month, while captains operating the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 were reported at approximately VNĐ205 million to VNĐ246 million per month.
Foreign captains can have a different arrangement altogether, with contracts commonly structured around a fixed payment and flight-hour compensation. Current Vietnam Airlines recruitment continues to seek experienced A350 and A321 captains, while B787 captain vacancies are also available through contract recruitment agencies.
As a result, senior wide-body captains with substantial experience can sit towards or above the upper end of the general salary range.
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Benefits Enjoyed by Vietnam Airlines Pilots
Vietnam Airlines pilots are entitled to the following benefits.
- Competitive salary: Vietnam Airlines pilots receive compensation that is considerably above typical Vietnamese salaries, particularly once they reach senior first officer and captain positions.
- Wide-body opportunities: Pilots can progress towards Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 operations, providing exposure to long-haul flying and stronger earning potential.
- International flying: Wide-body crews can operate international services connecting Vietnam with destinations across Asia, Europe and other regions.
- Travel benefits: Pilots can receive airline travel privileges, with the exact entitlement depending on their employment contract and eligibility.
- Training and development: Pilots undergo regular simulator sessions, recurrent training and aircraft-specific assessments to maintain their qualifications.
- Career progression: First officers have the opportunity to progress towards captaincy after meeting the airline’s experience, training and assessment requirements.
- Choice of roster patterns: Current expatriate recruitment offers different roster options, including commuting and non-commuting arrangements on certain contracts.
- Relocation support: Overseas pilots recruited on contract can receive assistance connected with relocation and settling into life in Vietnam.
- Medical coverage: Pilot contracts can include medical benefits, with some expatriate arrangements offering comprehensive international medical coverage.
- Base locations: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City provide pilots with major operating bases and access to Vietnam’s largest aviation markets.
Aircraft Flown by VNA Pilots
Vietnam Airlines operates the following aircraft types in its fleet.
- Airbus A320-200 – 1
- Airbus A320neo – 3
- Airbus A321-200 – 42
- Airbus A321neo – 20
- Airbus A350-900 – 14
- Boeing 787-9 – 11
- Boeing 787-10 – 6
The carrier also has 69 Boeing 737 MAX 8s on order.
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Requirements to Become a Vietnam Airlines Pilot
Vietnam Airlines has the following requirements as a general indicator for all its pilots, and type-rating and specific hours of experience is published depending on each vacancy.
- 3,500 Total Flight Hours
- 1,500 Total Hours on commercial aircraft & 500 hours on concerned aircraft
- ICAO ATPL
- Current class 1 medical
- Under 63 years of age for men and 58 for women (due to Vietnamese labour law)
- Minimum height – 165 cm tall for men and 160 cm for women
Hiring Process
Vietnam Airlines follows the hiring steps below in its hiring process for pilots.
- Online application: Candidates submit their CV, licence information, flight-time records, medical details and other required documents.
- Initial screening: Vietnam Airlines or its recruitment partner checks the applicant’s qualifications, total hours, aircraft experience and licence validity.
- Technical assessment: Shortlisted pilots may complete technical assessments covering aircraft systems, aviation regulations, procedures and operational knowledge.
- Interview: Candidates attend a professional interview covering their flying background, decision-making, communication skills and approach to safety.
- Simulator assessment: Pilots must demonstrate their technical and flying ability in an aircraft-specific simulator. For experienced pilots, this is one of the most important stages of the selection process.
- Medical examination: Successful candidates complete the required Class 1 medical and other health checks before employment is finalised.
- Background and document checks: Licences, employment history, flight records and other relevant documentation are verified.
- Final offer and training: Successful applicants receive their employment or contract offer and then complete any required induction, ground training, simulator training, aircraft conversion and line training before beginning normal operations.
Bottom Line
Vietnam Airlines offers pilots an attractive career path, particularly for those who want to progress from narrow-body operations into long-haul flying. In 2026, first officer salaries can generally be estimated at around VNĐ80 million to VNĐ150 million per month, while experienced captains can earn approximately VNĐ180 million to VNĐ300 million per month depending on aircraft, seniority and flying activity.
The airline’s Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 operations are particularly appealing for pilots targeting the upper end of the pay scale. Current recruitment for experienced wide-body pilots also indicates that there remains a demand for qualified flight crew.
For pilots looking to establish themselves with a major Southeast Asian carrier, Vietnam Airlines can therefore offer a combination of competitive pay, international flying, fleet progression and long-term career development.
Vietnam Airlines Pilot Salary FAQs
A Vietnam Airlines first officer can earn approximately VNĐ80 million to VNĐ150 million per month, while experienced captains can earn around VNĐ180 million to VNĐ300 million per month depending on rank, aircraft and experience.
Vietnam Airlines operates Airbus A321s, Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787 aircraft. The A321 is widely used for regional operations, while the A350 and Boeing 787 serve longer international routes.
Yes. Vietnam Airlines continues to recruit experienced foreign pilots for selected positions, including A350 captains, A321 captains and Boeing 787 first officers. These pilots are generally employed under separate contract arrangements with different salary and roster structures.
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