The seat
All the 29 beds in business class lie flat at the push of a few buttons.
My lie-flat seat is one of 29 in a one-two-one herringbone formation. Couples travelling together are usually seated in the centre aisle, as we are, so we can chat and share a table if we wish. Business seats have a seat pitch of 42 inches (107 centimetres) and a width of 21 inches (53.3 centimetres) – three inches wider than economy. All have direct aisle access and seatbelts that are chunky-soft on one side due to built-in airbags.
There’s an adjustable armrest, personal reading light, magazine rack, coat hook, fold-out table, water bottle holder, a ledge with a pillow and a triangular storage area deep enough to hold a phone, a book and glasses. On a side panel is a USB port, universal power plug, seat/bed control buttons, and a removable remote control with call button. A footrest offers slippers and the all-important mattress topper. The cabin and seat are in a bland taupe but this is the only dull thing about them: lie-flat options never get old. Once fully extended, I’m snug, comfortable, and have an excellent sleep.
Entertainment & Tech
The fact that there’s no wi-fi on this flight doesn’t seem to perturb our fellow passengers, most of whom are ready for bed straight after supper is served, despite there being a big and varied selection of newish (The Holdovers) and not-so-new movies (The Game starring Michael Douglas – perfect flight fodder) plus music, newspapers, video games and TV shows. The provided headphones are comfortable but not noise-cancelling. Personal touch screens must be folded away during take-off and landing.
Service
All the attendants – the women in graceful ao dai traditional dress – are friendly and attentive. Soon after take-off I’m offered a hot towel, sparkling wine and given a vinyl amenities pack holding a fold-up brush; lip butter, body lotion with argan oil, serviceable socks, an eye-mask, earplugs, toothbrush and paste and stickers to affix to the back of my seat advising if I wish to be woken up for breakfast or for duty-free sales. Would I like my bed “made-up” with the mattress-topper? Yes please.
The food
Business passengers have access to the Lotus Lounge so we’ve already snacked on dumplings. Supper is served not long after take-off and it’s a tale of two menus. The Vietnamese option? Chicken terrine; grilled prawn, coriander vegetable salad and dipping sauce followed by a noodle soup with prawn, chicken and herbs, or stewed pork spare ribs with beans, fried rice and bok choy. Sounds good? We thought so too, but alas only the Western menu (crepe with crab, roasted beef tenderloin and salad followed by grilled grouper, salsa verde and buttered fettuccine) is available.
The salad and fish are enjoyable if a bit bland, but this is offset by the novelty of a tablecloth, proper cutlery, salt and pepper shakers and a choice of bread. I decline a ″Beloved Hue″ signature cocktail (whiskey, apple juice, lemon, ginger and sugar) and opt for another sparkling wine. Dessert is a tasty banana cake. The breakfast menu offers noodle soup, congee or, my pick, a frittata and fried potatoes with a slightly odd accompaniment of a beef patty.
Carbon emissions
1.47 tonnes. This year Vietnam Airlines signed a co-operation agreement to participate in the CO² emissions measurement project developed by the International Air Transport Association, becoming the first airline in Vietnam to do so.
The verdict
What value can you place on a good night’s sleep? A lot, judging by the spring in the step of our fellow passengers as we glide off the plane in Sydney the next morning.
This may not be the Rolls-Royce of business class flights, but it delivers in providing a truly restful overnight flight with all the little luxuries for a very reasonable price.
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One more thing
Triple-check your visa details. We hear of several instances where visitors are made to pay a fine on landing in Vietnam for having a missing number or an incorrect letter on their issued visa.
Price
From about $4200 from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh return in business class.*
Our rating out of five
★★★★1/2
The writer travelled as a guest of Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Vacation Group.
*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.