Vietnam Airlines

SGN-HUI March 2014. Airbus 320. The pleasure by travelling business compared to economy on domestic is worth the modest additional payment as it allows for very fast check in and fast track: it took me less than 5 minutes in the crowded SGN airport to inscribe luggage check-in be issued lounge access card and pass the security fast lane. For economy typically 20-50 minute queue. The Lounge is darkish and has no shower nor champagne. Otherwise it is old classic and pleasant though resembles a relic from the eighties. The flight to HUI was delayed 2 hours due to a technical problems. The way VN handled this was very professional: I was informed by email on the delay 1 hour and 40 minutes prior to scheduled departure! VN pro-actively contacted me in the VN-business class lounge and informed me clearly. A staff member gave me two fair options: either accept the delay by VN or go with an earlier competing airline. I then decided to change to the competing airline VietjetAir to go on the initially scheduled time. I then accepted a downgrade as VietjetAir do not have business class. Further I would have to leave transit to sort out refund by VN-Airlines and to purchase ticket and check-in with VietjetAir. I decided to take the trouble. There was quite some risk and hassle involved as I was due to pay a hefty prize for overweight and for last Minute purchase to VietjetAir who has no co-operation with VN: I had to leave transit reclaim inscribed luggage re-pack and reshuffle luggage as to comply with VietJetAir strict requirements. The ticket price was negotiated by my VN facilitator to become the same as for the stretch SGN-HUI as for VN airlines in business. I paid at VietjetAir counter and checked in. Later I had to fill forms to reclaim at VN airlines what they owed me. I am all in all impressed it was doable. As for VN it only cost them my lounge access and the staff service. So it turned up to be a win/win situation. The trip SGN to Hue went well and I was seated like a pave getting all six front row seats though further back the flight was packed. Luggage were out when entering the terminal. Two Minutes later I was on the city coach from Airport. On time.

Early February I booked two return flights for myself and my wife. Outward leg 13/4/14 Bangkok to Danang via HCMC return 20/4/14 Danang to Bangkok via Hanoi. As of today 7/4/14 various sectors have been re-scheduled four times the last change was a cancellation of the entire Danang to Bangkok flight. We were put on flights to Bangkok via HCMC but this would have meant a 7.5 hour layover in HCMC. Out of sheer frustration I cancelled all the flights and will go elsewhere. This would have been our first flight with VA needless to say it will be the last as VA could not give an adequate explanation for the changes.

Bargain of the century-we took Vietnam Airlines from Singapore to Hanoi and have 2 internal flights with them before heading back to Singapore from HCMC. For the price you cannot complain at all-nice new and clean planes (A321) smart friendly staff reasonable food and good choice of drinks. Compared to European airlines (I fly BA a lot shorthaul) there is no comparison-Vietnam win hands down. Business class fares so unbelievably reasonable to.

VN662 on 1 April from Singapore to Hanoi and VN661 from Hanoi to Singapore on 5 April travelling business class both ways. I have to say the staff were great on both legs always checking and always present. The food was great and served quickly along with refresher towels and plenty of water. The inflight entertainment was circa 1980 however the flight was so short it did not really matter. If there was a disappointment it was the seats. No sooner had we taken off and the person in from reclined their seat and I was flashed back to economy. The seat hit my legs and that was a real disappointment. Look at doing something about that and nobody will have anything to complain about.

Flew Deluxe economy Gatwick - Saigon then internally to Danang - Siem Reap - Hanoi and back to Gatwick. Pleasantly surprised having read the reviews as very content with the service glass of bubbly then good wines with ok meals. The entertainment is about the same standard as the older BA planes but best bring a tablet with you if you want more choices. Internal flights are on new A321 airbus plenty of legroom (food not great). Overall for the price and convenience of flying direct to Vietnam would use again.

June 2013 SGN - HAN: Vietnam Airlines saved us from a near disaster. My wife left her Kindle in the seat back pocket only to discover she'd done so in the taxi after leaving the airport. We were to fly to the U.S. two days later. A couple of strategic phone calls by our travel agent friend later we returned to the airport not hopeful at all. Despite 30 minutes to clean the aircraft for its return flight to SGN the ground staff had found the reader and delivered it to lost and found. Nicely done!

Flew internal flights in Vietnam: HCM - DaNang. Then DaNang - Hanoi and finally Hanoi - HCM. We paid for the empty seats and upgrade policies through Optiontown - best bargain ever! All flights on time sensible check-in times at airports not the hours waiting about you get in Europe. Cannot recommend highly enough especially for the prices paid.

I have used them 3 times for the London-Ho Chi Minh City route in the past 6 months in addition to a return flight Ho Chi Minh City-Hong Kong in March 2014 and Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang in July 2013. Each time the flights were on time the planes of acceptable standard with most in-flight functions working (except one return flight to Gatwick in January 2014 when the in-flight program was not functioning). In my experience the flight staff were courteous and attentive. The food is of equal standard to most other International airlines (slightly disappointing as Vietnamese Cuisine is probably the best in the World). My wife did however experience a problem when she flew from Gatwick to Ho Chi Minh via Frankfurt (technical problem and delays). I have travelled extensively for the past 25 years across the Middle-East and USA and suggest that Vietnam Air are a good option for my requirements. Their luggage allowance is generous and they offer the benefit of a direct service from UK (however check scheduled stop-overs in Germany which appear to be seasonal).

SYD-HCM-Hanoi on 22 Feb Hanoi-HCM-SYD on 26 Feb. Not the best certainly not the worst. Value for money fare. Inflight entertainment probably the worst point except HCM-SYD on return on a new/refurb A330 which was a bit more like it. Service absolutely fine food more than palatable bit stingy on the drinks but always available when asked for extra water. Transfers at HCM a bit frantic but bearable.

How pleasantly surprised I was flew London to Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang Da Nang to Siem Reap Siem Reap to Hanoi and Hanoi to London. All excellent on time excellent service comfort and value. The prop plane used to fly to Siem Reap was a delight. Would not hesitate to use again easily comparable to its competitors.