Vietnam Airlines was our choice for a quick three-day trip to Ho Chi Minh City during the recent long weekend. Considering the holiday period, the airfare was surprisingly affordable, especially since we booked the tickets a few months in advance.
Our flight departed from Terminal 4, the newest terminal at Changi Airport. Although T4 is equipped with automated check-in facilities, Vietnam Airlines still relies on manual check-in counters.
Thankfully, the queues weren’t too long. Since we had already checked in online, we were able to use the designated online check-in desks and received our boarding passes without much hassle.
Procedure for Check-In (When You Don’t Have a Return Ticket)
In fact, this was the first time I had ever travelled without a confirmed return ticket. It felt a little unusual, but I managed to convince myself that it was fine, mainly because of my background working as a flight attendant and ground crew for several airlines. I knew what to expect, and that gave me the confidence to just go with the flow.
As expected, the person at the check-in counter took a bit of time to process my luggage. He first asked if I had a return ticket, to which I honestly replied that I didn’t. I explained that my initial plan was to travel to Vietnam by flight from Singapore, which is why I hadn’t booked a return flight.
Meals in Flight
If there was one thing about the flight that I was really eager to find out, it was the in-flight breakfast. I’ve never been a big fan of in-flight meals when I’m flying. There are times when I would actually choose to pack my own food at the airport rather than eat what the airline serves.
Out of all the airlines I’ve flown with, SriLankan Airlines’ in-flight meal on the Hong Kong to Bangkok route was my favourite — until I tried Vietnam Airlines, that is. It was fantastic!
Special Touches
The cabin crew will not demonstrate safety procedures in person but rather through the in-flight on-screen video. Presented in the form of a dance, it is a visual masterpiece that highlights Vietnamese culture while delivering a crucial message. Vietnam Airlines has the most original and entertaining safety video I’ve ever seen. I still hum the song in my head because it has stayed with me.
I adored how the airline used artwork, colours, and even the welcome at the start of the flight to bring Vietnamese influences into the cabin. It added a warm and cultural touch to the experience.
I learnt a lot about the locations I was visiting in Vietnam by using the entertainment system. I even had fun winning the bowling match against my photographer. I love the feeling of being able to take on and defeat opponents!
There Are Many Female Pilots on Vietnam Airlines
I was shocked to hear a woman’s voice greeting us on Flight 655. Female pilots are extremely uncommon. I can only think of one other instance where “the man” was actually a woman, haha. It seems that Vietnam Airlines employs a sizable number of female pilots.
Although there was a lot more turbulence on this portion of the journey, it wasn’t too bad. The flight, operated on another Airbus A321, lasted for one hour and thirty-five minutes.
The coffee and tea service was interrupted by the turbulence, though. Fortunately, I managed to grab a final Vietnamese coffee before the flight attendants were forced to sit down.
Food and Drinks on Board
Vietnam Airlines provides satisfying meals for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian travellers. Since we are vegetarians, we had selected vegetarian meals. However, based on our past experiences, we were a little uneasy about the cuisine.
Fortunately, all of our concerns were unwarranted. We were served wholesome, delicious, and completely vegetarian food that exceeded our expectations.
There was wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages available, served by some of the politest cabin crew members we’ve encountered. However, as teetotallers, we were happy with tea, coffee, and fruit juices instead.
Vietnam Airline Review: Conclusion
On this short-haul flight operated by Vietnam Airlines, the travel experience was comfortable despite the busy and full flight. Even though Vietnam Airline’s service isn’t as good as that of the five-star airlines, the amenities offered on board the more recent models are still on par with those of the biggest airlines.
I would still advise taking a Vietnam Airlines flight when the cost is reasonable. What is the quality of Vietnam Airlines? We weren’t particularly impressed with it overall.
That said, the service was undoubtedly the high point, everyone was kind and accommodating throughout the journey.
I hope this review of Vietnam Airlines meets your expectations.