Has anyone taken Vietnam Airlines before?

Question

How was it? Good or bad experience? Comments please

Answer 1

I fought in 'Nam. It was awful.

Answer 2

Yup- flew from Saigon to Danang not too long ago. Uneventful trip and if it weren't for the 5 or 6 time zone difference, I thought I was on Southwest.

Alot of commercial pilots in Southeast Asia are Australians, Canadians or Europeans for the most part.

I would actually feel safer on an air vietnam or anything but an US based or US bound flight right about now.

Answer 3

I flew Vietnam Air on flights from Taipei to Ha Noi, Ha Noi to HCMC and HCMC to Taipei.

The International flights (Taipei/Hanoi, HCMC/Taipei) were exceptional experiences. I considered them just as good if not better than other International carriers that I've flown on. The domestic flight was a different story. If Southwest Airlines is a cattle car, then domestic Vietnam Air is a stampede running towards a cliff. It was complete chaos, but incredibly funny from my perspective.

Boarding at Noi Bai (Hanoi) was done by the attendants opening the terminal doors and pointing to the airplane. Everyone dashed for the boarding stairs like they were on motorbikes riding frantically around Huan Kiem Lake.

My family and I had seats in the back, but we somehow got stuck entering from the front. It was like a human pachinko machine getting to our seats. A couple decided to take our assigned seats, and played dumb with my Mother in trying to keep them. I stood about a head higher than the gentleman, which was enough to convince the couple to relinquish the seats.

The flight itself is comparable to any Southwest flight until we arrive at Tan Son Nhut. Everyone scurried off the plane and packed into buses like sardines. As soon as the doors open, everyone scurried out towards the terminal and to the baggage claim. I don't think being polite was allowed at Tan Son Nhut. People were literally stepping on top of other people's baggage in trying to get their own.

It was complete chaos, but it was an adventure that I very much enjoyed.

Answer 4

According to Skytrax, Vietnam Airlines is rated a 3 star airline.

Skytrax is a website for airlines reviews from people who have travelled on those flights. It's a completely non biased site, although the reviews are . . . reviewd by site moderators for spelling, and to make sure it's a vaild review. That's why I like the site so much, because I can trust the content and know it's valid.

Check out Vietnam Airlines passenger opinions on Skytrax:
http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/vietnam.htm

Vietnam Airlines is knowen for there "tacky" website though as it contains very bad information that is not up to date. Last time I checked there website there updating it . . . it's been like that for several months though.

Im sure you will have a safe and ejoyable flight aboard Vietnam Airlines :-)

- Have fun on your trip and flight
- Hope I helped :-)
- Sonic