Vietnam Airlines

I flew to Gatwick from Ho Chi Minh City the flight took 13 hours. The whole flight was a nightmare due to a 3 year old child screaming blue murder for the whole of the flight. The stewards and stewardess and parents made no real attempt to deal with problem to the discomfort of everybody in that particular section of the aircraft. Why is it not possible for passengers to seek compensation from the airlines for having to endure a nightmare experience similar to the one I endured along with my fellow passengers?

Flew MED to SGN and return in Business Class. Staff Service Food and Flight were excellent. We have flown Singapore Malaysian and Thai Business class prior to this and the whole experience with Vietnam Airlines was up there with them. We will definitely travel Vietnam Business Class again. Highly Recommended.

On our way back from our tour through Vietnam on flight VN773 we experienced lots of problems. The entertainment system was not working they changed our seats and when we asked for coffee we were told there were none. Very poor salty breakfast without coffee or tea. Toilet floor full of water and no toilet paper.

Flew from HKIA to Hanoi to Paris and back again. The HK to Vietnam routes were decent with newer planes and ample leg room service was also great. On the way to Paris however the planes were older with less leg space and hard as rock seats. To make it worse cabin temperature was increased I have never been warm on a plane before and it made for an uncomfortable 13 hours. Service wasn't the best either there weren't enough menus for everyone. Food was alright. Inflight entertainment system was something to be desired bring movies or books. Basically you get what you pay for a bargain. Will probably fly them again for shorter routes but will stay away from the longer hauls.

SGN-SYD. This flight was part of an itinerary from Paris to Sydney. Vietnam Airlines offers a free transit program to eligible ticket holders (you need to book it 72 hours beforehand) - which we used and strongly recommend - we had a 14 hour transit between flights - we were met when we got off the plane and our visas were arranged we were then taken to an inner city hotel and had lunch and dinner and a tour of the city and then we were taken back to airport. It was a very pleasant way to spend the day and a nice break between the flights - also there was no extra money to pay and it took care of the hassle of organising a Vietnam visa. The A330-200 flight was half an hour late (all the flights I have taken out of SGN have been late) and was about 40% full in business class which was just as well because we had problems with three seats - entertainment not working necessitating multiple seat changes. Food was acceptable (not as good as the SYD-SGN leg) but the champagne was nice no refills were ever offered but the friendly staff responded quickly to the call button. The seat doesn't go completely horizontal but is pretty comfortable and sleep was possible. Entertainment options were pretty much limited to a reasonable selection of movies and not much else. No priority card given for customs/security at Sydney airport. Overall the flight went quickly and I was comfortable enough. I will fly Vietnam airlines again.

NRT to SGN on A330-200. I had a very enjoyable flight from Tokyo to Ho Chi Minh City. The crew were very friendly and helpful. When using the call button one of the crew members came in just a few seconds. The Japanese Meal was delicious and more than enough. The IFE on the A330 is some ways better than the IFE on the B777 of VNA but also with a small selection - but for the 6-hours-flight it was ok. The seats are comfortable enough for this 6-hour flight during the day (for a night flight it may be not so comfortable though the seats are not lie flat).

Flew from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang last week never have I seen such disorganization at the airport. Flight was delayed no less than 3 times and we lost a day of our holiday sitting at the airport. Scores of their flights had gate changes and totally no communication with passengers waiting. Very disappointed with service on the flight. Will never fly with them again.

Flew Business Class FRA-BKK via HCMC. B777 (FRA-SGN) and A321 (SGN-BKK) Positive points flights were all on time crew friendly and welcoming toilets were kept clean. Transfer Counter at SGN very efficient. Negative points for bland tasteless food lacking completely in presentation along with tiny wine glasses. The fantastic cuisine that Vietnam is famous for did not reflect in the catering. The entertainment system wasn't worth watching. Poor selection of films. The seats are not lie flat but I was aware of that beforehand. Did manage to get some rest even though it wasn't the most comfortable of seats. The aircraft interior looks shoddy and needs refurbishing. VN has the potential to become a better airline but they appear to be cutting costs in all the wrong areas. They totally lack the finesse that their competitors in the rest of S.E. Asia offer.

SGN-CDG B777-200. Efficient transfer desk at HCMC but very basic lounge with no shower. Disappointed on boarding to see it was a very old plane with recliner seating in 2-3-2 configuration. Flight 80% full. Food very tasty - supper and breakfast served all choices available in spite of being at the back of the cabin. Although disappointed by recliners managed to get about 9 hours sleep (was very tired) - the seats are not flat but they are well padded and quite wide. No drink refills offered but call button answered promptly and requests taken care of. The plane was extremely hot for the first 6 hours of the flight. Very limited collection of new release movies and nothing else on entertainment system.

SYD-SGN A330. Efficient and friendly check-in at Sydney airport. Qantas lounge a nice place to have breakfast and a drink prior to boarding. Cabin 50% full. Seat is 160 degree pitch capsule and quite comfortable. Food was genuinely tasty and 2 meals served on an eight hour flight. Drinks were offered - nice champagne but glass never refilled without using call button to request. Attendants rarely seen out of meal service times but responded quickly to call button and immediately carried out all requests. In flight entertainment included about 10 new release movies and very little else - don't count on being entertained by this for the whole flight. A note - if you have an extended stop over (and wish to exit the airport) or are transferring to a domestic flight (including Saigon to Hanoi for an international connection) you will need to arrange a visa beforehand there are no visas on arrival and Saigon airport offers little in the way of distractions. Overall this was a pleasant flight and represented very good value for money.