Review of Vietnam Airlines flight Nha Trang → Hanoi in Business

Airline Vietnam Airlines
Flight VN1556
Class Business
Seat 2G
Aircraft Airbus A321neo
Flight time 01:40
Take-off 02 May 19, 11:20
Arrival at 02 May 19, 13:15
VN   #36 out of 94 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 229 reviews
socalnow
By 1440
Published on 13th August 2019

Summary

1 – Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge - Nha Trang
2 – VN1556 CXR-HAN
3 – Tourist bonus - nha trang dining and sights

Greetings Flight Report community and thanks for stopping by this report. This is the continuation of our trip to Vietnam that became a reality after a Cathay Pacific "mistake" fare that was honored. Feel free to visit the SNA-ORD report for more background on the planning, etc.


Routing


Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge - Nha Trang


After several spectacular days in Nha Trang (check out the "Tourist Bonus" if you're interested) it was time to start the trek back home. We're not taking the most direct routing as a result of the Cathay mistake fare so we have to position to HAN to pick up that ticket. This ticket was originally booked as ICN-CXR-HAN in Y but when we arrived at CXR I stopped by the VN ticket desk and asked about a cash upgrade. It was a very reasonable fee so we thought it would be fun to have a go in VN J having flown VN Y several times to date.


Security was a breeze at this small airport and we were airside quickly. The Lotus lounge is at the far end of the terminal and is clearly marked.


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I have to say it's a fairly spacious and well appointed lounge for domestic flights. The interior décor is a bit dated or a least in a style I cannot relate to.


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There are a variety of soups on offer with appropriate garnishes.


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Also hot foods and cold cuts.


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Fruits, sweets, and tea.


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Having eaten breakfast at the hotel we just sampled a dew snacks. The only cups I could find were coffee.


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Not much in the way of views. or natural light.


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They have a cabinet for passenger. I thought that was simply economy class….


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There is a smoking room in the lounge as well.


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VN1556 CXR-HAN


As boarding time arrived we made our way to gate 6.


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It was only after our boarding passes were scanned and we started walking to the jetway did I realize I would have my first ride on the A321-200neo. I thought it odd that the flights between CXR-ICN-CXR, almost 5 hours in duration, are operated with the A321-200ceo and the 90 minute ride to Hanoi would be on the A321-200neo.


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There is a small 8 seat J cabin on this configuration with no hard bulk head separating the cabins. The J seats are rather basic. The look like a larger version of a typical Y slim line seat.


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The lack of bulk head provides some good legroom for the first row of economy.


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The J eats have a storage compartment presumably where you could stow IFE monitors if the aircraft is so equipped. 


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Tray table is on the other side.


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Bare seatback, safety card, and wifi info.


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Cold towels were offered as well as water or juice.


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The safety video was aired on fold down monitors that had excellent resolution and aspect ration. A moving map was aired during the flight.


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My IFE of choice as we taxi to 2R.


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Beautiful views of Cam Ranh coastline and Cam Ranh Bay on departure


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The flight attendant working the cabin asked if we would enjoy a snack and of course I took her up on the offer. The other J passenger didn't partake.


Tablecloth placed.


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A tray with open-faces sandwiches is served along with a beverage. There is no bar service on this short flight but beer is provisioned.


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There was a dessert on the tray that looks like Bánh Flan Dừa but I didn't taste it to confirm.


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The sandwiches were not very appetizing so I only nibbled. The meats were OK but the bread was stale.


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Small lavatory with basic amenities.



The front of the airplane has arrived in Ha Noi.


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Curtains drawn and another round of beers before landing.


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Hazy day in Ha Noi.


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We parked on a remote stand next to a 757. The symmetry is perfect as the 321neo is as close to a 757 replacement as we're going to get.


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I am happy to do air stairs and bus any time. The neo is gorgeous in the VN livery.


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Looking back from the bus.


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We were dropped into a deserted baggage claim area and proceeded to catch the shuttle bus tot eh International Terminal to leave our bags and explore the city a bit. Until next time.


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Tourist bonus - nha trang dining and sights

Bonus : Click here display
See more

Verdict

Vietnam Airlines

6.8/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew7.5
Entertainment/wifi6.5
Meal/catering6.0

Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge

7.2/10
Comfort6.5
Meal/catering7.5
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Services7.0

Nha Trang - CXR

7.5/10
Efficiency7.5
Access7.5
Services7.5
Cleanliness7.5

Hanoi - HAN

7.6/10
Efficiency8.0
Access7.5
Services7.5
Cleanliness7.5

Conclusion

The Ground Service: Check in took a bit of time on account of upgrading at the airport. Once we completed the ticketing and walked over to the check-in counter there were many radio call back and forth to get us actual boarding passes.

The Lounge: I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the lounge, in particular the food selection. I didn't really sample much of it but it appeared plentiful and varied.

The Cabin: A very basic configuration. I would have guessed the NEO would be doing longer routes thus be equipped with better IFE and perhaps even a larger J cabin. I would be incorrect in those assumptions.

The Crew: The flight attendant was perfectly fine. She only had two of us to look after as the other passenger slept the entire way.

The Food and Beverage: Not much positive to say here. No bar service and stale bread are not excellent features.

Overall: The upgrade was not something I would do again but I have no regrets. I got value from the experience and education on VN's domestic J offering.

Related

7 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 516584 by
    ThomasDutch SILVER 642 Comments
    VN is not an Asian airline that is commonly reported, but they seem to provide you with an ''passable'' product if I read through your meal. Though they should have done a better job at their seat colour for J, it looks awful.
    • Comment 516585 by
      ThomasDutch SILVER 642 Comments
      btw thanks for writing. was a nice read again. :)
      • Comment 518125 by
        socalnow AUTHOR 976 Comments
        Greetings ThomasDutch and thank you for leaving feedback.

        VN is not an Asian airline that is commonly reported, but they seem to provide you with an ''passable'' product if I read through your meal.

        -That's a good description of this flight, "passable."

        Though they should have done a better job at their seat colour for J, it looks awful.

        -That seems to be the consensus. I didn't find it to be that off putting. I prefer the aesthetic to Asiana, for instance...

        Thanks again and happy flying.
  • Comment 516698 by
    LostLuggage 69 Comments
    Thanks for the report - good to see another one from this part of the world! VN seem to struggle with interiors and decorating in both cabins and lounges. Even their 787/350 fleet are covered in garish yellow/green inside. I'm assuming later neo deliveries will be configured differently for international routes as so far they've nearly exclusively been used on domestic routes. Glad you got experience their J product, even if it hasn't convinced me to ply for an upgrade on the same route next week!

    Best of luck with the CX trip with the current situation in Hong Kong.
    • Comment 518127 by
      socalnow AUTHOR 976 Comments
      Greetings LostLuggage, I appreciate the note of feedback.

      VN seem to struggle with interiors and decorating in both cabins and lounges. Even their 787/350 fleet are covered in garish yellow/green inside.

      - It seems a common reaction to the color palate. It's definitely bold, to put it lightly.

      I'm assuming later neo deliveries will be configured differently for international routes as so far they've nearly exclusively been used on domestic routes.

      -I wonder why that is. My understanding is that the NEO really shines on longer routes. I hope you are correct that they will fit them out better for longer haul.

      Glad you got experience their J product, even if it hasn't convinced me to ply for an upgrade on the same route next week!

      -I'd like to hear about your experience to compare. Have a great trip. Do you get to Nha Trang often?

      Best of luck with the CX trip with the current situation in Hong Kong.

      -Thanks, I can't imagine how stressful it is for the locals at this time. I just don't see how it ends well. I passed through on 7/29 and it was business as usal at the airport but things have deteriorated since then. Our next time through is 10/6 so it's anyone's guess what the situation will be. Hoping for the best for the people of Hong Kong.

      Thanks again and happy flying.
  • Comment 516962 by
    airlineflyer 21 Comments
    There wasn't even a power or USB port in Business?
    • Comment 518128 by
      socalnow AUTHOR 976 Comments
      Greetings airlineflyer and thanks for the note. Both were present I just don't recall if they were in the center armrest storage area or on the front of that housing. I should have done a better job of documenting that.

      Happy flying.

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