Vietnam Tightens Power Bank Rules for Flights from July 2026

Vietnam is tightening the rules for carrying power banks on flights from July 1, 2026. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam says the change is intended to reduce the fire risk from lithium batteries and align local practice with updated ICAO dangerous-goods guidance.

The rule matters for tourists, backpackers, business travelers and digital nomads flying within Vietnam or taking flights subject to Vietnam’s aviation rules. If you rely on a power bank for long travel days, airport transfers or phone-based boarding passes, you should check your battery label and pack it correctly before arriving at the airport.

What changes from July 1, 2026?

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, passengers may carry a maximum of two power banks. Power banks must be carried in hand luggage only; they must not be placed in checked baggage.

During the flight, passengers must take power banks out of their carry-on bags and keep them in a place where they can be easily observed. They must not be charged on board and must not be used to charge phones, tablets, laptops or other electronic devices during the flight.

Capacity limits travelers should check

The CAAV notice gives the following technical limits:

• Lithium metal power banks: lithium content must not exceed 2 grams.
• Lithium-ion power banks: rated energy must not exceed 100Wh for normal carriage.
• Power banks above 100Wh and up to 160Wh: carriage requires prior approval from the aircraft operator or airline.

Most travel power banks show their capacity on the casing or product label. If the label lists only mAh, the watt-hour value can usually be calculated from the battery voltage, but travelers should rely on the manufacturer’s stated Wh rating where available. If the rating is missing, unclear or above 100Wh, contact the airline before travelling.

How to pack power banks safely

Vietnam’s aviation authority also says power banks must be protected individually to prevent short circuits. Practical options include keeping the device in its original packaging, insulating exposed terminals, taping over exposed contacts, or placing each power bank in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.

For travelers, the safest approach is simple: carry no more than two clearly labelled power banks, keep them in your cabin bag for security screening, then keep them visible during the flight as cabin crew instruct. Do not leave them in a checked suitcase, do not charge them from the aircraft seat power supply, and do not use them to recharge your phone during the flight.

Airline rules may be stricter

Vietnam Airlines’ restricted-baggage guidance also states that rechargeable power banks are carry-on only and not accepted in checked baggage. It lists a maximum of two power banks per passenger and says power banks must not be used during the flight or charged from onboard power sources.

Vietjet has published similar passenger-facing guidance, including carry-on-only storage, a two-power-bank limit and a ban on in-flight use or charging. Travelers should still check the latest baggage page of their specific airline before departure, especially for international itineraries, codeshare flights or high-capacity battery packs.

Practical checklist before flying in Vietnam

• Pack power banks in carry-on baggage only.
• Do not put power banks in checked luggage.
• Carry no more than two power banks per passenger.
• Check that each lithium-ion power bank is 100Wh or below, unless you have airline approval for 100Wh–160Wh.
• Keep each power bank protected against short circuits.
• During the flight, keep power banks visible and out of your bag.
• Do not use a power bank to charge devices during the flight.
• Do not recharge the power bank on board.

The rule is nationwide rather than destination-specific, so it is relevant whether your Vietnam trip includes domestic flights such as Hanoi–Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City–Phu Quoc or international connections involving Vietnamese carriers. The main uncertainty for travelers is how each airline and airport team will implement visible placement in practice, so follow cabin crew instructions on board.