Vietnam Airlines Review: My First Economy Class Flight to Singapore

I had never flown Vietnam Airlines before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. We were finally heading to Singapore after months of planning, and I was excited. I had wanted to visit Singapore for years, and the trip was finally happening. Our flights would take us from South Korea to Singapore, with a connection in Ho Chi Minh City. I was hoping for comfortable seats, decent food, and a smooth connection. What I got was surprisingly good service, two delicious meals, and a few unexpected problems.

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Flying Vietnam Airlines for the First Time

I love traveling, but getting ready for a trip is another story. I had known for months when we were leaving for Singapore. Yet somehow, I scheduled my hair appointment and pedicure for the night before we left. I spent most of the night packing between short periods of sleep. Around four in the morning, I finally decided I had packed enough.

I had plenty of socks and underwear, but I managed to forget my electric toothbrush. I brushed my teeth before leaving and never put it back in my suitcase. So, before we even left Daegu, I already had something to buy in Singapore. This is what happens when I wait until the last minute to pack, even when I have had months to prepare.

Fortunately, I was excited enough about Singapore to overlook how tired I was. I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time. Vietnam Airlines was new to me, and I was curious about the experience. I had flown several Asian airlines before, with mixed results, so I was particularly interested in the seats and inflight service.

Getting to Busan Airport from Daegu

Living in Daegu gives us several airport options when traveling internationally. Flights departing directly from Daegu were often more expensive than those from Busan or Seoul. We usually compared prices and schedules before deciding which airport to use. Most of the time, Busan was our first choice because it was closer.

When flying from Busan, we generally drove to Gimhae International Airport and used long-term parking. The drive from Daegu took approximately 90 minutes, depending on traffic. When departing from Seoul, we preferred taking the airport limousine bus to Incheon International Airport. Driving to Seoul could take four hours, so Busan was usually more convenient.

I remember laughing when we saw a Vietnam Airlines itinerary from Daegu through Seoul. It included a 21-hour layover, which made absolutely no sense for our trip. Instead, we booked flights departing from Busan, with a connection in Ho Chi Minh City before continuing to Singapore.

Our first flight was scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. We left home around 6 a.m., giving ourselves enough time to drive, park, check in, and ride the airport shuttle to the departure gate. We spent approximately two hours at the airport before boarding. I was tired from packing all night, but I was looking forward to getting on the plane.

Breakfast at Angel-in-us Coffee

Before boarding, I stopped at Angel-in-us Coffee and ordered a beef banh mi sandwich. It was delicious, and I had originally planned to save it for the flight. However, I ended up eating it before boarding because I was hungry. It smelled so good, Steven asked me to get him one too.

We had no idea how good the airline food would be. Had I known, I might have skipped breakfast. As it turned out, Vietnam Airlines served one of the better inflight meals I have enjoyed in economy class.

Vietnam Airlines Economy Class Seats

Seat comfort matters to me, especially on longer flights. I have had some uncomfortable experiences in economy class in Asia, and I always pay attention to seat width and available space. One previous flight to South Korea was particularly difficult. The seat was so narrow that a metal bar pressed against my hip for hours.

I also had to request a seatbelt extender on that flight. I was embarrassed and uncomfortable, and I remember quietly crying for part of the journey. That experience affected how I approached flying for a long time. It also became one of the reasons I wanted to lose weight.

Fortunately, my experience on Vietnam Airlines was much better. I had more room to move around, and the seat was pretty comfortable. I remember thinking I would have appreciated that extra space even before losing weight. That weight loss made a noticeable difference in how much I enjoyed the journey.

We were flying on an older Airbus A321. The cabin was basic, neutral colors that hid the dirt I knew was there. The flight didn’t have WI-FI, in-seat movies, or electrical outlets. However, I’ll take a comfortable seat over a fancy entertainment system any day.

Vietnam Airlines Inflight Meals

I am not usually excited about airline food. I have eaten plenty of disappointing meals at 30,000 feet, especially when fish is involved. However, Vietnam Airlines surprised me. Both meals were good, and the first was one of the best economy-class lunches I have enjoyed on a plane.

Drinks and Snacks

The service began with mimosas, which the crew garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. I appreciated the presentation because it was more than I expected in economy class. We also received a bag of wasabi-covered peanuts, which was an interesting snack at ten in the morning.

I enjoy trying different foods when traveling, and the combination made me smile. It was certainly not my usual breakfast, but I was on vacation. I had a mimosa in my hand, a comfortable seat, and Singapore waiting at the end of the journey.

Lunch on Vietnam Airlines

For lunch, we had a choice between beef and fish. We both selected the fish, which turned out to be teriyaki sea bass. It came with sticky rice, broccoli, and carrots. There was also a soft bread roll with salted butter, which reminded me of a Hawaiian roll.

The meal included a side salad topped with a generous piece of thinly sliced salmon. It smelled wonderful and tasted even better. I was particularly surprised by how fresh everything tasted, considering we were eating on an airplane.

Dessert was a moist cake topped with a layer of mango puree. I enjoyed every bite. The meal was filling, nicely presented, and much better than I expected. I would happily order the same lunch again.

Wine Service

A little later, one of the flight attendants came through the cabin carrying two bottles of wine. One was red, and the other was white. I chose the red and enjoyed it while relaxing in my seat.

After finishing my glass, I looked around for another opportunity to get some wine. Unfortunately, I did not see the cart again. I remember thinking I should have asked for two glasses when I had the chance.

Between the comfortable seat, good food, and friendly service, Vietnam Airlines was making a very good impression.

Vietnam Airlines Flight Attendants and Service

The flight attendants made a great first impression. They wore beautiful turquoise Vietnamese traditional clothing called ao dai. The uniforms were elegant and immediately recognizable, adding a little Vietnamese culture to the flight.

The crew was friendly, attentive, and generous with the service. They smiled often and made their way through the cabin offering meals, drinks, and refreshments.

I have flown enough to know that service can vary considerably between airlines and individual crews. On this flight, the attendants were one of the reasons I enjoyed the experience the most. They made an ordinary economy flight more pleasant without making the service overly formal.

Connecting Through Ho Chi Minh City

We made it to Ho Chi Minh City, but our one-hour layover was already looking tight. Instead of pulling up to the terminal, our plane parked on the tarmac. We had to take a bus to the terminal, which ate up more time. On the way to the terminal, a Lotte Duty Free Ambassador handed me a fan I still use to this day.

It never fails. Our connecting flight to Singapore was leaving from gate 26, practically the farthest gate away. They were already boarding when we arrived. I barely had time to grab my charging cable before getting on the plane. We made it, but I would definitely book a longer layover next time.

Our Second Vietnam Airlines Flight

As soon as we reached cruising altitude, the flight attendants served another meal. Again, we had a choice between beef and fish, and we both chose fish. This time, it came in a tomato sauce with string beans and potatoes. We also got a dinner roll, a banana, and Vietnamese coffee.

I was surprised we got another full meal on such a short flight. I usually avoid fish on airplanes, but both meals were really good. About 40 minutes later, we landed at Singapore Changi Airport. Unfortunately, our luggage did not make the connection with us.

Delayed Luggage at Singapore Changi Airport

We made our connection in Ho Chi Minh City, but our luggage did not. Luckily, the next Vietnam Airlines flight was only an hour behind us. While we waited, we found Jewel Changi Airport, bought a seven-day SIM card, and picked up tickets for Gardens by the Bay.

Is Vietnam Airlines Worth Flying?

I would definitely fly Vietnam Airlines again. The seats were comfortable, the flight attendants were friendly, and the food was surprisingly good. I especially enjoyed the sea bass, mango cake, and wine service. The plane was older, with no seatback screens or USB ports, but I had enough room to sit comfortably. That mattered more to me.

The short connection in Ho Chi Minh City was stressful, and our luggage arrived an hour late. But neither was a big deal in the end. Both flights were enjoyable, and I would happily book Vietnam Airlines again. I would just allow more time between flights next time.

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