In January, I decided to treat myself to a quiet week of sunshine in Singapore. I booked the trip using Delta miles: 80,000 miles for a one‑way business class ticket, which felt like a fair deal.
It was also the perfect excuse to finally try Vietnam Airlines, a carrier I had no particular expectations about.
My itinerary included a connection in Ho Chi Minh City, with enough time to enjoy a shower in the lounge before continuing to Singapore.
MOBILE APP
Before the trip, I tried preparing everything through the Vietnam Airlines mobile app. That didn’t go very well. The interface is unclear, and the French translation is inconsistent. I quickly realized it was safer to switch to English to avoid confusion.
Online check‑in didn’t work on the app—likely because of entry‑requirement checks and the fact that my return flight on Singapore Airlines was on a separate booking. I eventually had to check in through the Air France website the day before departure, then retrieve the boarding pass through the VN app. On the day of travel, the app still insisted I go to the counter to collect it.
Seat selection after booking was another annoyance: neither the VN app nor the Delta app allowed it. You must go through the VN website. For a SkyTeam airline, you’d expect smoother integration.
DEPARTURE
I arrived at Terminal 2E around 8:30 a.m. Traffic was smooth, except for the drop‑off area, which took 20 minutes to access. Vietnam Airlines uses Air France’s SkyPriority zone, but it was so crowded that I opted for the dedicated VN economy check‑in area instead. Only ten minutes of waiting, with a friendly and efficient agent. My suitcase was checked through to Singapore, and I received both boarding passes.
Passport control was more chaotic: 25 minutes of waiting even in the priority lane, with many passengers complaining as concierge services cut ahead. Security in Hall K, however, was quick and painless.
LOUNGE
Vietnam Airlines uses the renovated Air France lounge in Hall K. Breakfast was simple, I downloaded a few series for the flight, and—unsurprisingly—there was no champagne in the morning. The atmosphere was calm enough to relax before boarding.
BOARDING
Boarding was done by bus, but the process was smooth and priorities were respected.
At the aircraft stairs, business class passengers were directed to the left, and premium economy/economy to the right. A small detail, but it prevents the usual parade of passengers walking through the business cabin and helps maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
The welcome on board was warm and almost personalized. The crew smiled, greeted passengers, and guided them to their seats. The cabin was surprisingly empty: only about twenty passengers in business class, which is rare on Asia‑bound flights.
CABIN & SEAT
The aircraft was an Airbus A350‑900 (VN‑A890), approaching ten years of age. The business cabin is arranged in a staggered layout. I settled into a window seat.
The product isn’t the newest, but it’s clean, functional, and well maintained.
A few details stood out:
• The staggered seat is efficient but not very wide.
• A small hidden storage compartment beside the armrest—perfect for an iPad and accessories.
• Amenities already placed on the seat: slippers, mattress pad, duvet, pillow, and a bottle of Cristaline water, a surprising choice for business class.
• A Samsonite amenity kit: simple but decent.
The flight attendant greeted me, asked how to pronounce my name correctly, and offered to install the mattress pad before takeoff. She also handed me a small post‑it with a free Wi‑Fi code, normally worth 20 USD.
After settling into my seat, I glanced out the window and noticed a Gulf Air A321 (A9C‑NE) parked nearby, its engines covered. It was a striking sight, especially knowing that flights to Bahrain had been suspended due to the conflict in Iran.
FIRST MEAL SERVICE
The menu was presented individually by the flight attendant, rather than handed out.
I chose:
• Citrus‑sautéed prawns
• Stir‑fried noodles
• An Italian white wine
• A signature cocktail: Phan Thiet Red Dunes
The food was surprisingly good. The prawns were a bit small for business class, but flavors were excellent.
Presentation was neat, with a subtle Vietnamese touch.
The cocktail was strong—almost too strong for a long‑haul flight.
Welcome drink & Oshibori
Meal (cup of exotic fruits not pictured)
ENTERTAINMENT
The entertainment system doesn’t offer a huge library, but it’s enough for an 11‑hour flight. I watched Heads of State and a Korean action film (Yadang: The Snitch).
Wi‑Fi, normally priced at 20 USD, worked well except over India—something the crew had warned about. It occasionally needed to be restarted but remained usable for messaging and news.
IFE in bas condition (red color on top and bottom of the screen)
LAVATORIES
Nothing special, regularly cleaned by crew.
RESTING
After the first movie, I tried to sleep.
The seat converts into a fully flat bed, but foot space is limited, forcing you to cross your feet under the screen. Tall passengers will struggle. With the mattress pad installed, comfort improved slightly.
I managed about an hour and a half of sleep.
SNACK
Around 6:30 p.m. Paris time, I went to the galley for a snack.
The crew immediately jumped up and brought two mini‑sandwiches to my seat.
One of them, with cured ham, was very salty, but the gesture was appreciated.
The crew remained consistently attentive and friendly.
SECOND MEAL SERVICE
The crew later came by—almost apologetically—to offer the second meal earlier than scheduled, as some passengers had already asked for it. I preferred to wait an hour.
I chose the pho, which friends had recommended. It was excellent: fragrant broth, perfectly cooked noodles, tender beef. A true signature dish.
This time, I opted for a non‑alcoholic drink: an Apple Sangria mocktail, refreshing and light.
Service timing was flexible—almost too flexible. The lack of structure might bother passengers who prefer a fixed rhythm.
An hour before landing, the crew offered a drink. I chose tea, perfect for waking up gently.
ARRIVAL
We landed three minutes behind schedule, just after sunrise. The crew thanked each passenger personally, and my flight attendant made a point of addressing me by name.
Disembarkation was via stairs again, but priorities were respected. A dedicated business‑class bus with comfortable seats took us to the terminal—quite a contrast with the basic bus used at CDG.
I followed the “international transfer” signs. We were clearly the first passengers of the morning. Security staff were just starting their shift, and the atmosphere was relaxed. The X‑ray machine was temperamental, but nothing serious. Unlike usual procedures, liquids and electronics didn’t need to be removed. The agent barely glanced at the screen, making the process surprisingly quick.
The signs led directly to the Lotus Lounge, quiet at this early hour. It offered exactly what I needed: a calm space to shower and refresh before my flight to Singapore.
Avoiding the Iran airspace
