Airline: Vietnam Airlines
Flight number: VN772
Aircraft: Airbus A330
Route: Sydney to Ho Chi Minh
Seating: Business class
Flight time: 8 hours
The cabin
The cabin in the Airbus A330 was adequately spacious, with a 2x2x2 seat configuration and capacity for 24 passengers. I had a window seat that provided good privacy. A collapsible partition between my fellow passenger could be erected for additional privacy. There was plenty of legroom and nooks to store personal belongings. Multi-purpose power sockets are provided to charge laptops and electronic devices.
Comfort
Seats recline to 153 degrees with a pitch of 62 inches. Footrests are at the base of your seat. I particularly liked the pale green slippers and was wearing them before take-off, making myself right at home! A Chopard amenity kit contained the basic refresher essentials. Pillows and blankets are provided for added warmth and comfort.
Service
There’s plenty of cool towels handed out by the oh-so-friendly and elegant cabin crew, dressed in traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai dress. Staff at check-in and onboard were very friendly and accommodating.
Meals
The food proportions were incredibly generous. I admired the dexterity of the crew, handing large meal trays to passengers with ease. The food was abundant with plenty of Vietnamese options to choose from.
Entertainment
Both in-seat screens and overhead screens are provided onboard. There were around 20 movies to choose from; along with a selection of TV shows and games. The program is included in the in-flight magazine, Golden Lotus. Standard headphones are provided. Noise-cancelling headphones are available on selected Airbus 330 aircraft.
Business class passengers are entitled to a generous 40kg in luggage allowance. Passengers can also pay an additional US$10 for going over that – or passengers can pre-purchase 5kg more of baggage for an additional US$30 – and can purchase up to 50 additional kilograms in total.
Loyalty program
The Golden Lotus Plus is the loyalty program for all Vietnam Airlines passengers. Members can earn miles when travelling on Vietnam Airlines or any airline that is part of the SkyTeam Alliance.
Gripes
The in-flight entertainment selection was somewhat limited.
Would you fly with them again?
With punctual lift-off and attentive service, yes I would fly Vietnam Airlines again. The airline is currently upgrading its fleet. The new 787 Dreamliner now flies from Ho Chi Minh to London for those Australians flying further abroad with Vietnam Airlines (the 787 will gradually depart from Sydney in the next couple of years). Access to Sydney’s new stylish SkyTeam lounge at Sydney International Airport is an added bonus.