Vietnam Airlines bans the use of lithium backup batteries on planes

Wednesday, 8/10/2025, 10:09 (UTC+07:00)

Lithium batteries are found in many personal electronic devices such as phones, laptops, cameras, and power banks. However, few people know that this type of battery has a high risk of explosion. Therefore, Vietnam Airlines and many airlines around the world have banned the use of lithium batteries on planes; do not put them in the checked baggage compartment or carry-on baggage.

According to new regulations from September 9, 2025, lithium power banks are prohibited from use on all flights of Vietnam Airlines Group (including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and Vasco). Vietnam Airlines said that with the principle of safety being number 1, Vietnam Airlines continues to synchronously deploy many measures to strictly control the transportation of lithium power banks on flights, contributing to risk prevention and ensuring aviation safety standards.

(resize_50)thoi-gian-mo-quay-lam-thu-tuc Source: Vietnam Airlines

Passengers need to declare at the check-in counter when carrying this type of rechargeable battery in their carry-on luggage and place it in an easily visible location for easy control and timely detection of any unusual signs.

On the plane, Vietnam Airlines has equipped specialized tools such as heat-insulated gloves, special fire-proof and smoke-proof bags to respond to incidents related to Lithium batteries.

(resize_50)pin-lithium Source: Vietnam Airlines

All of these devices are supplied by the world's leading reputable manufacturers and have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. In addition, the entire crew is trained to handle any unusual situations quickly and effectively.

Vietnam Airlines' limited baggage policy for transporting Lithium batteries is as follows:

Items containing batteries may be transported in carry-on and/or checked baggage provided that the amount of Lithium in Lithium metal or the capacity (Wh) for Lithium ion batteries meets the standards shown in the table below.

Removable batteries and spare batteries may only be transported in carry-on baggage.

Capacity (Wh) for lithium ion batteries; or Lithium weight (g) in lithium metal batteries	Configuration	Transport by carry-on baggage	Transport by checked baggage
≤100 Wh or ≤2g Used in electronic devices such as phones, cameras, camcorders, laptops, watches, cash registers, etc.	In the device	Allowed Up to 15 devices/guest	Allowed (device must be turned off completely)
	Backup battery	Allowed Up to 10 batteries/passenger	Not Allowed
	Power bank	Allowed Up to 10 batteries/passenger	Not Allowed
>100Wh and ≤160Wh or >2g and ≤8g Used in devices such as personal medical devices	In the device	Allowed Up to 2 batteries/passenger	Allowed
	Backup battery (only supply power to the device itself)	Up to 2 batteries allowed	Not Allowed
>160Wh or >8g Used in devices such as self-driving cars, electric bicycles	In the device	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
	Backup battery	Not Allowed	NotAllowed

Notes for passengers regarding power banks:

Power banks may only be carried as hand baggage.
Do not leave power banks in your hand baggage or the overhead baggage compartment.
Place the power banks where they can be easily monitored and controlled (such as the front seat pocket or next to you). Passengers must immediately notify the flight crew of any abnormalities they notice, such as smoke, elevated temperature, fire, etc.
Do not use power banks in flight, and do not charge them using aircraft power supply.