How to Buy a Plane Ticket from VN Airlines

[confusedasheck 21]

I'm a bit confused on how to buy a plane ticket from Vietnam Airlines for a person using a Vietnamese ID card versus American passport.

The Vietnam airlines Web site asks you to fill in the name using the order (Middle Name) (First Name). So if they are traveling on a Vietnamese ID, I should fill in (Middle Names) (First Name). However, if I am traveling with a US passport, I assume I should ignore this and use the order on which it appear on my passport, which is (First Name) (Middle Name).

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I'm a bit confused on how to buy a plane ticket from Vietnam Airlines for a person using a Vietnamese ID card versus American passport.

The Vietnam airlines Web site asks you to fill in the name using the order (Middle Name) (First Name). So if they are traveling on a Vietnamese ID, I should fill in (Middle Names) (First Name). However, if I am traveling with a US passport, I assume I should ignore this and use the order on which it appear on my passport, which is (First Name) (Middle Name).

Whenever they ask for "first" name it means they want your "given" name - the name everyone calls you. Whenever they ask for your "last" name it means they want your "family" name. Your "given" name and "family" name don't change, regardless of whether you're writing them in eastern or western order.

[confusedasheck 21]

Well, that's were the problem comes in. I am traveling in Vietnam on an American Passport, and she is traveling using a Vietnamese government issued ID.

The Vietnamese ID displays the name in the order <Last Name> <Middle Name> <First Name>. Last time I was in Vietnam I bought a plane ticket for her in which I filled out the form online <First Name> <Middle Name>.

When we went to check in, because she was using a Vietnamese ID, the people working the counter almost did not let her check in. We had to argue for 5 minutes and they eventually agreed.

So now I am paranoid because the Vietnam Airlines web site does not make this clear. When filling out the booking information in English they specifically ask for the order <Middle name> <First Name>, which makes no sense for a person using an American passport, but might make sense to a person using a Vietnamese ID.

I have also tried calling Vietnam airlines in CA, but they seem to never answer the phone, no matter what time I call.

[tuandanh 3]

It's a lot easier for her to go to a vietnam airlines office in Vietnam and usually cheaper than buying it from the site. Just send her the money and the people in the office can help her. Also, they may require to present the cc used when checking in (not sure). Another reason why sending cash is better. Those offices are all over the place.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Well, that's were the problem comes in. I am traveling in Vietnam on an American Passport, and she is traveling using a Vietnamese government issued ID.

The Vietnamese ID displays the name in the order <Last Name> <Middle Name> <First Name>. Last time I was in Vietnam I bought a plane ticket for her in which I filled out the form online <First Name> <Middle Name>.

When we went to check in, because she was using a Vietnamese ID, the people working the counter almost did not let her check in. We had to argue for 5 minutes and they eventually agreed.

So now I am paranoid because the Vietnam Airlines web site does not make this clear. When filling out the booking information in English they specifically ask for the order <Middle name> <First Name>, which makes no sense for a person using an American passport, but might make sense to a person using a Vietnamese ID.

I have also tried calling Vietnam airlines in CA, but they seem to never answer the phone, no matter what time I call.

Stop thinking in terms of "first name - last name". Think in terms of "given name - family name". In Vietnam they use family name - middle name - given name. In the western world we use given name - middle name - family name. Anytime they ask for "first name" you should give the "given name". Anytime they ask for "last name" you should give the "family name".

[quann 26]

imo you're confusing yourself and making this alot harder than it should be. i've flown vietnam air/jetstar 8-10+ occasions with a US passport and never had a problem. just fill out the appropriate boxes. if there's a problem it takes 2 minutes to fix at the airport.

and like another poster said, go through a (small) travel agency in vietnam. the website price can be real high (especially if you're paying by USD).

[confusedasheck 21]

I'm not asking about me. The agent at the counter had a problem with her name order on the ticket because she was using a Vietnamese government issued ID. I had no problem.

When filling out the form online, there is only one field for middle and first name. There is not a seperate field for first and middle name. Only one field for both. VN airlines wants them in the order <Middle Name> <First name>.

The Vietnamese for the name field says "Đệm và Tên". In English it says "Middle name & First/Given name".

[jac_chappin 24]

I"m having the same issue and really worried about the name also.

I bought a ticket for my fiancee to Da Nang through Vietnam airlines and the name was out of sequence and had to purchase a new ticket because they wouldn't let her board.

As you guys suggested, I'll just send her the money so she can buy it in VN in order to avoid confusion. I would hate for my fiancee to have issues boarding and I'm not there to help.

[ScottThuy 140]

its not a big deal really.. even if it goes in backwards on the ticket, it can be easily resolved at the gate.. you are talking about domestic travel right?... I have dealt with the same issue in the past and it was resolved when needed, but usually they just look at the ID card and understand what happened and say pass.. When it says last name.. that is the surname.. the first middle order does not really matter as they understand the difference when it comes to data entry...

[confusedasheck 21]

its not a big deal really.. even if it goes in backwards on the ticket, it can be easily resolved at the gate.. you are talking about domestic travel right?... I have dealt with the same issue in the past and it was resolved when needed, but usually they just look at the ID card and understand what happened and say pass.. When it says last name.. that is the surname.. the first middle order does not really matter as they understand the difference when it comes to data entry...

Yes, it is domestic travel within Vietnam.