Airlines – Wonder of the Sky, Vietnam – The land of rice

Skybound Serenity: A Soaring Journey with Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi (HAN) to Ho Chi Minh (SGN)

November 11, 2017

Airbus A350-900 – Vietnam Airlines

I had been daydreaming about my itinerary and was set on exploring Hue and Hoi An after Hanoi. These places came highly recommended by fellow travellers I encountered on my journey. However, upon reviewing my options, I realised that including them would have added at least five extra days to my trip for a proper exploration. Considering that Hue is a 650 km journey from Hanoi, involving a lengthy car ride, an additional flight, or a sleeper train, it seemed like a fantastic but time-consuming detour. Since I already had other Southeast Asian countries on my list, I decided to streamline my plans and take a direct flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh (commonly known as Saigon). The allure of exploring this renowned city was particularly strong, fueled by my past experience promoting it when I worked as a flight specialist for a concierge company back in 2012.

The search

I found three airlines servicing this route: Vietnam Airlines, Jet Star, and Vietjet. I also noticed that Vietnam Airlines operates the route with their newest aircraft, the A350-900, for at least two of their daily flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. Seizing the opportunity to experience this new-generation aircraft, I considered that the fare was nearly double compared to the other two airlines. 😬😬 Then, I remembered having a few air miles in my Flying Blue Account (Air France Frequent Travel Program), so I decided to check if I had enough for this journey. To my surprise and delight, I did! So, I booked my ticket using 10,000 miles and paid only €3.12 for taxes. It was incredibly easy; I simply logged into my Flying Blue account, searched for the flight, and booked it then and there. This was only possible because both Air France and Vietnam Airlines are part of the SkyTeam, allowing for common air miles rewards.

Airbus A350-900 Vietnam Airlines2 I knew little about Vietnam Airlines before, so I did not have great expectations or anything like that.

Introduction: Vietnam Airlines, headquartered in Hanoi, is the national airline of Vietnam and government-owned. Operating a diverse fleet that includes Airbus, Boeing, and ATR planes, it efficiently serves an extensive Asian network. In addition to its regional operations, the airline also offers routes to Europe and Australia. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Vietnam Airlines is an integral part of the global aviation network.

My airport experience was smooth and efficient, with the Vietnam Airlines staff being consistently helpful. Stepping onto the plane, I discovered stylish seating arranged in a 9-abreast configuration, friendly flight attendants greeting passengers along the aisle, and a large touchscreen ensuring entertainment throughout the journey. The seat even featured a convenient charging port for my mobile, a lifesaver for someone like me who often finds themselves short on battery. Opting for my usual window seat, I noted that my seat, listed as having a 32-inch pitch according to my online research, felt surprisingly more spacious (unless, perhaps, I’m shrinking!).

The crew was exceptionally friendly and welcoming, and the ambient lighting created a very relaxing atmosphere, making me feel great. Moreover, for a relatively short flight of only 2 hours and 10 minutes, a full meal, which happened to be lunch during my flight, was provided. I found the meal particularly tasty.

In addition to savouring a delightful farewell view of Hanoi, I took the opportunity to do some reading about the airline industry in Vietnam. To my surprise, I discovered that the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh route is among the busiest air routes globally, ranking from the 5th to the 7th busiest over the last few years. This insight helped me understand why the airline opts for new-generation, long-range aircraft like the B787 and A350 for a domestic route! My particular flight was on board the A350, boasting seating for 305 passengers distributed across Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class.

The overall experience was exceptional; I was pleasantly surprised by the high-level service onboard and all the inclusions. While my personal preference for seat configuration is typically 2-4-2, it didn’t bother me too much on this occasion.