Flying on Vietnam Airlines' Boeing 777 with business class is always exciting when you can enjoy long-haul seat-bed on short-haul flight.
I was in Hanoi for my cousin wedding and backed to Ho Chi Minh on the next day. The flight was at 15:30. I went to the airport quite early as usual cos I knew that I had to spent more time to pay excessed baggage fee for my bicycle. I went to the business lounge after that. I love the lounge here better than at SGN althought it's small than the SGN's one. The food is better but the staff attitude is so so, not friendly.
Food at the business class lounge, not too good but better than in SGN
I boarded the plane on time. The FA gave me welcome drink and newspapers and magazines. I was so surprised this time cos the FAs were so friendly and smiled all the time. The way they talked to me was so much improved then a month ago. Was there anything change in Vietnam Airlines service standards for J class? Well, I was happy then. One of the FA took my jacket and put it in the cabin locker.
Welcome drink and magazine (Forbes, Vietnam edition)
Now, take a look at the business class cabin. This is an old B777 aircraft of Vietnam Airlines but the seats are quite new. The plane has 32 J class seats which can be reclined to a nearly flat bed.
The cabin
The plane took off on time. At this flight time, passengers will be served light snack, not full meal (only available for breakfast, lunch and dinner). It was OK. I finished my meal quickly and lay down to sleep.
Funny, I had a memory of VN's lounge being larger in HAN than in SGN. And yes, with better food too.
I was day dreaming of AF having such a J cabin (and similar catering) on a domestic flight like CDG-NCE...
Back to reality; it is time to thank for this FR !
Thanks for your comment. Reading your comment is always interesting and informative. Actually there're 2 lounges at SGN domestic terminal. The one near gate 1 is bigger than the one near gate 11. The lounge at HAN domestic (near gate 1) is smaller than the one in SGN. About the catering, I agree that Vietnam Airlines' domestic flight is quite good. HAN-SGN is also one of the busiest route in Asia Pacific.
Haha, it's OK. I've never been to intl lounge at HAN. Actually I was in a hurry for the flight from HAN to BKK so no time for the lounge. Thanks for sharing your experience.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php'fbid=663616166987830&set=a.388366121179504.108651.299520560064061&type=3&theater << This is J class meal from BKK to HAN but on HAN-SGN route you can expect the same on meal time (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Thanks for the clarification. Actually, I was on international flights out of HAN and SGN, so my comment was not relevant.
A few years ago I have flown from SGN to HAN in a wide-body aircraft (was it A330?) and I had the same experience. That kind of snacks is also offered on A321 I flew from Hanoi to Hue in J. (The price difference between Y and J is not that high and it is more comforatble to wait in the VN lounges even if the food is so so and the attendants not that friendly.)
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! For very short domestic routes by Vietnam Airlines, the fares between J and Y are not so different. But for Saver fare, it's much cheaper. Except for HAN-SGN route, J fare is around 250$ and full Y is 150$/one way. Saver fare around 70-80$ OW.
Thanks for sharing this FR
A pleasant flight in a widebody for a short flight time
Thanks. I love wide-body jet. :) Vietnam Airlines J cabin in B777 is really comfortable with 49-inch pitch seats. :) The nearly-flad bed is not so comfortable. I'm looking forward first class on Vietnam Airlines.
Thanks for this nice FR with a good product for a domestic ride!
which type of aircraft usually ply between those cities?
Usually Vietnam Airlines uses Airbus A321 but recently they increase using Boeing B777 and Airbus A330.
Thanks for this new report, fantastic cabin pictures.
See you!
Hi Admin, thanks for reading my report. I wish I could have more time to write on FR. :)