Vietnam Airlines

I took 2 VN flights (BKK-HAN and HAN-SGN) during the past few days. Flight to HAN: We experienced lots of turbulence during the flight yet the pilot managed to land the plane smoothly. Flight to SGN: it was quite spacious for a domestic flight yet the cabin crew should be more assertive in reprimanding the passengers who didn't obey the flight safety instructions. The in-flight entertainment didn't work but the magazine provided was quite entertaining. Should provide wider selection of in-flight meals.

DAD-HAN-LGW-SGN-DAD: for once the flights were on schedule which is an unusual circumstance for VN. The flights and service were reasonable although the B777 is showing distinct signs of age. The worst aspect of the trip was the awful Bus Class lounge at SGN and the appalling scrum for immigration at HAN. The food on the return trip from LGW was considerably better than for the HAN/LGW sector and they know how to run a Bus Class lounge at LGW maybe VN should send their staff there for training. I chose VN for the sake of convenience but I will certainly look at other options next time. I should add that I would not like to have travelled in the Economy section. The seats looked cramped and I overheard some uncomplimentary remarks while waiting at SGN immigration.

Flew recently between Hanoi - Siem Reap - Hong Kong. Perfectly adequate with newish Airbus A321 aircraft decent legroom and good punctuality. Short trips so no entertainment etc. A snack was served which was basically a sandwich and a dessert; not great. Not much was expected. The cabin crew were fine although a little passive when fellow passengers were clearly ignoring instructions during take-off and landing. My main issue (which would lead me to recommend only with caution) is the number of times our flight times and numbers were changed. We did receive one notification of a schedule change but the flights we actually ended up on did not match the info. provided. Other passengers reported the same issue. Basically don't make onward/connecting plans which rely on accurate timings and flight numbers.

I've flown many times domestic with VN and two intercontinental legs. For domestic flights VN is a fairly good option. Interiors look a bit worn and seats are not too comfy but for the 1-2 hr flights it is ok. Another story for the inter continental legs. I've flown in their 777. I can't judge about the technical state of the planes but if their maintenance is done like the cleaning it won't be good at all! The planes are dirty and IFE outdated (personal screens but no AVOD). Little legroom due to huge IFE boxes under most seats and safety checks prior to take off and landing are very poor. The food isn't the best I have had onboard airplanes. If I can avoid this airline in future I will!

Sunday 20 April 2014 flight VN017 Hanoi to Paris. The main areas where improvement is needed are: (1) cleanliness of toilets (very poor) and ensuring that basic hygiene is maintained such as by providing soap for handwashing (2) seat comfort - there is very little leg room for a 6 ft tall person and a media/entertainment box is installed under every seat cutting the space for feet in half and (3) food quality which was poor my hot meals were served almost cold and the replacement that I asked for was barely lukewarm. Incidentally I had the same problem of finding no soap in the toilet and generally filthy toilets on a flight to Australia in 2002 and nothing really seems to have changed in 12 years. Staff didn't seem to care.

LGW to Hanoi on flight VN54 departed 4th April. Returned Saigon to LGW on flight VN51 departed 19th April. Awful airline which I booked despite the very mediocre reviews because of the direct flights from Gatwick. On our outward journey - on a fully laden plane - there ended up with one working WC apparently a "waste management problem". Booked Deluxe Economy - wish hadn't bothered - very little difference food (awful) same as economy. Staff on the outbound flight were extremely grumpy and didn't smile. Inward much better. Don't do it book with another airline.

HUI-SGN. 17th April 2014 on an Airbus 321. Flight on time. New Business Class lounge at Phu Bai has a very disappointing boring design just a squared room and some industrial snacks plus some drinks. Only advantage is the view to the runway and a printer. The printer didn't work but the staff took the trouble to print out for me at VN counters downstairs. A funny complete nuisance is a compulsory bus drive from gate to aircraft hardly 20 meters. This goes for arrival as well departure and creates a lot superfluous efforts waiting and hassle in an airport where it is rare to see more than one aircraft at a time. The flight was full but service was on par. Newspapers handed out. A cold meal and drinks were offered (inc. 2 kinds of beer). A ring on the bell was addressed within seconds. Service began instantly after seat belts could be loosened and went on until touchdown. For a flight of 70 minutes duration the onboard service went on for 60 minutes quite impressive and better than most other carriers. Full business class seats in 2x2 configuration (compared to 3x3 in economy class). Priority luggage a joke and arrived as the latest but within 15 minutes which is tolerable. Annoying checks of luggage tags when leaving the terminal. The product offers very good value for money as the additional cost of business class travel compared to an economy is very reasonable.

VN51 Saigon to Gatwick 12/04/2014. Old aircraft and very dirty inside - tray table ingrained with dirt ceiling splashed with food food splashed on side wall floor dirty seat pocket had debris inside toilet not cleaned and sink area dirty. Safety video shown before everyone seated and very little safety checking done prior to take-off and landing. One 300ml bottle of water given out on a 13hr flight small orange juice obtained from passing cabin crew but the tray wizzed down the aisle so fast we nearly missed it. It was very hot in the cabin throughout the journey. No bar service prior to supper. Food poor. Two internal flights with this airline were delayed for up to 4 hours.

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.

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.