All four goals were scored in the opening 45 minutes as Burnley overturned an early scare at Vale Park this evening.
The home side went ahead inside the first 10 minutes when Chris Shuker took it on from outside the area and found the corner of Lee Grant's net.
Vale's lead didn't last long, however, as Jason Shackell headed home Chris McCann's delivery just two minutes later.
Burnley completed the turnaround in the 29th minute when striker Charlie Austin tucked home from 12 yards.
The Clarets had a two-goal half-time lead courtesy of Dean Marney, who fired high past Chris Neal three minutes before the break.
Grant denied Louis Dodds early on in the second period as the hosts looked to get back into the game but they couldn't find a way through.
Burnley begin their league campaign at home to newly-relegated Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, while Vale welcome Barnet to Staffordshire.