Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines Business Class: Asian Excellence with Cultural Character
There's considerable satisfaction in discovering that an airline's reputation extends well beyond its striking visual identity. Vietnam Airlines flight VN660 from Singapore to Hanoi—a three-hour, thirty-five-minute journey aboard a Boeing 787-900—provided compelling evidence that Vietnam's national carrier has evolved into a formidable competitor in the Asian aviation market.
Settling into seat 3J in the forward business class section, I was pleasantly surprised by the herringbone configuration's execution. Whilst this seating arrangement often proves problematic on other carriers, Vietnam Airlines has engineered theirs with notably more storage space and legroom. The four-abreast cabin layout works particularly well on the 787's fuselage, creating an intimate yet spacious environment. The fully flat-bed capability and adequate floor space for carry-on storage addressed the practical concerns that frequent travellers prioritise.
The entertainment system immediately revealed the airline's cultural identity. The predominantly Asian film and television selection, supplemented by older European offerings, requires passengers to embrace a different cultural perspective—hardly a disadvantage for travellers seeking authentic regional experiences. The programming quality remained high, though the absence of noise-cancelling headphones proved disappointing, particularly given the business class positioning.
Punctuality represents one of Vietnam Airlines' strongest attributes. Departing Singapore's gate at precisely 13:05 as scheduled and arriving in Hanoi twenty minutes ahead of schedule demonstrates operational excellence that many established carriers struggle to achieve consistently.
The beverage programme reflected thoughtful international curation. Premium spirits accompanied the signature 'Tropical Dawn' cocktail and Marquis de Sade champagne. The wine selection showcased global diversity: Spanish Bajoz Roble 2021 and French Château Martinolles Le Garriguet 2020—a Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon blend—represented the reds, whilst whites included Dom Denise Grenache Blanc from France and Ochagavia Don Sylvester 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. This international approach demonstrates Vietnam Airlines' commitment to appealing to diverse passenger preferences.
The meal service commenced promptly after takeoff with fresh vegetables and French dressing, followed by three main course options: prawns in curry sauce with steamed rice and vegetables, stir-fried beef in oyster sauce with egg noodles, or sweet and sour chicken. The prawn selection proved particularly enjoyable, though all options appeared equally appetising—a testament to the galley's consistent preparation standards.
Our pre-flight experience in Singapore's SATS lounge at Terminal Three provided solid, if unremarkable, hospitality. This shared facility serves airlines without dedicated lounges, maintaining clean, well-presented spaces with extensive buffet offerings and adequate beverage selection. A particular recommendation for future visitors: the chilli fish represents a memorable culinary highlight that elevates the standard lounge dining experience.
The cabin service throughout the journey proved exemplary. From the welcoming champagne and refreshing towel upon boarding through the meal service completion, the crew demonstrated the kind of attentive professionalism that creates lasting positive impressions. Vietnam Airlines' cabin staff deserve particular recognition for their genuine warmth and efficiency.
One curious operational choice deserves mention: despite the 13:00 departure time—peak daylight hours—the crew drew all window blinds within thirty minutes of takeoff, plunging the cabin into darkness. This unusual approach to daytime flight management may reflect cultural preferences or operational procedures, though it struck this traveller as unconventional for a midday service.
Vietnam Airlines' fleet modernisation deserves recognition. Their approximately one hundred aircraft—comprising A321neo, A350, and 787-9/-10 models—sport a distinctive livery that's immediately recognisable across Asian airports. The airline's network spans Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania with roughly 300 daily flights, serving 21 domestic and 43 international destinations. Strategic codeshare agreements extend their reach further, particularly into North American markets.
The Seasoned Traveller's Verdict:
Vietnam Airlines represents Asian aviation's quiet achiever—delivering consistent quality without the fanfare that accompanies some regional competitors. Their business class product, whilst not revolutionary, executes the fundamentals exceptionally well: punctuality, comfort, quality catering, and genuine service.
The cultural authenticity evident in entertainment programming and operational procedures provides welcome differentiation from homogenised international carriers. For travellers seeking genuine regional character alongside modern comfort, Vietnam Airlines offers compelling value.
The 787-900's business class configuration proves that herringbone seating can work effectively when properly engineered. Combined with the crew's evident pride in their service and the airline's impressive punctuality record, this represents a strong choice for regional Asian travel.
For fellow seasoned travellers, Vietnam Airlines deserves consideration beyond its distinctive appearance. Their commitment to operational excellence, cultural authenticity, and passenger comfort creates experiences that linger positively in memory—precisely what discerning travellers seek from premium cabin service.
