Review of Vietnam Airlines Business Class

Vietnam Airlines has headquarters in Long Biên District, Hanoi, with hubs at Nôi Bài International Airport in Hanoi, which is around 30 kilometres from the city centre, and another central hub at Tan Son Nhat International Airport 8 kilometres from the vibrant centre of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) – the largest metropolis of Vietnam, dubbed "the city that never sleeps".

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the largest airport in Vietnam, with two terminals and international flights operating from Terminal 2 (T2). 

Business Class passengers enjoy designated priority check-in on the second floor of T2 along with expedited security and immigration lanes, and a generous baggage allowance of two checked bags of up to 32 kilograms each, two pieces of carry-on luggage, plus an additional accessory not exceeding 18 kilograms in total with priority baggage handling. Priority boarding and disembarkation are other perks of Business Class. 

The VIP Lotus Lounge is on the third level and complimentary for Business Class passengers. The lounge is open throughout the day and is available for four consecutive hours. It is a comfortable, modern area to relax in air-conditioned comfort or with a delicious buffet meal or cold drink. 

The buffet consists of hot and cold food, including Vietnamese favourite Pho Noodle Soup, local pre-prepared delicacies, and other Western preferences. Cold drinks and water are stored in refrigeration units, and complimentary wines, beers, and spirits are also available. There is a coffee machine, a selection of teas and a carbonated soft drink dispenser. The food area seating is in pairs, with additional bars with high stools.

The lounge offers plenty of comfortable seating with far-reaching views of the airport apron. However, the lounge can become busy at peak times. There are small semi-private booths with seating and tables for families or people travelling together, plus another semi-private area concealed behind plants and screens with the bonus of a relaxing massage chair. Alongside is a business centre with several computers and a printer, and rather unusually, a small 'Pet Area.'

Laptop and phone charging points are less widespread than in many Business Class lounges, so prepare to hunt down available sockets in the seating area. However, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is readily available.  

Two shower suites are available, containing bathing essentials and a hair dryer. The suites may be more basic than in some Business Class lounges but are clean and functional and a welcome relief from long hours of travelling. Other facilities include a separate smoking area and baggage storage.

A second Lotus lounge is located within the airport and offers the same levels of comfort and amenities. Further international Lotus Lounges are found domestically at Hanoi and Da Nang airports and internationally at locations including Sydney, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok. Business Class passengers have complimentary access to SkyTeam Lounges and shared lounges at other international destinations when Lotus Lounges are not available.  

Vietnam Airlines operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in Asia, consisting of Boeing 787-9, 787-10 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s for long-haul flights, with older Airbus A321ceos and state-of-the-art A321neos used on shorter routes.

Business Class cabin interiors take on the airline's gold theme, with soft seat materials in a complementing and restful olive-green scheme featuring the airline's lotus motif. At the same time, warm buff/cream-coloured shades are found on the lightly textured hard materials, providing an altogether soothing environment.   

The Boeing 787s offer 24 to 28 Business Class seats with 28 seats on the three-class variant, which includes a Premium Economy cabin, or 24 and 28 Business Class seats on the two-class variant shared with large Economy Class cabins. 

All Business Class seats have direct aisle access and offer fully converting lie-flat beds of around 75 inches (190.5 centimetres) in length, a pitch of 42 inches (106.7 centimetres), and a spacious seat width of 21.5 inches (54.6 centimetres) in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. The seats have a rounded hard shell providing a degree of privacy and come with a good-sized retractable armrest and a few small storage compartments for drinks, small items and reading materials. Shoes can be stowed on a small shelf below the ottoman. A hinged tray table folds out from the side, and other comfort features include a reading light and a small coat hook. The seats have individual USB and AC power outlets, a portable remote control for the IFE system, and electronic seat controls. 

Solo passengers will likely prefer the window seats facing the windows from the aisle, while couples and companions may opt for the middle two seats. However, a bulky central divide and central separating armrests make chatting face-to-face a 'lean-forwards' exercise. Spacious overhead lockers make a doddle of storing larger cabin luggage and other smaller items.  

The Airbus A350 offers 29 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration and, on the whole, provides the same product as the B787, except for some aircraft with a staggered 1-2-1 arrangement with window seats closer to the window on alternating rows. It is always advisable to check the seat configuration on the airline's website to see what your cabin will look like. Another difference to the B787 is the lack of overhead storage over the central seats and the lack of individual air conditioning nozzles.  

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos, and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft. Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way, you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight in which you are interested before making your choice.

Vietnamese cuisine reflects the country's vibrant culture and traditions with a delicate balance of flavours, textures, and colours alongside sweet, salty, sour ,and spicy elements. Gourmands will savour the meal service. 

Soon after boarding, passengers are provided with menus detailing all meal services and beverages for the flight. The airline uses the freshest ingredients, lovingly prepared, bringing Business Class passengers delicious gourmet dishes plus a selection of global favourites to suit all tastes.

Carefully designed menus deliver bold and fragrant flavours and vary according to destination and flight time. The multi-course service is presented on crisp white bone chinaware with matching salt and pepper shakers and pressed white table linens.  

Dinner service typically consists of an amuse bouche, two appetisers, a fresh vegetable salad, a soup dish, a choice of fresh warm bread and a selection of four main courses, followed by dessert. Special seasonal dishes are also served during festival periods, such as Christmas and Oktoberfest.        

Vietnamese-inspired sample dishes include grilled prawns with lemongrass and chilli and Vietnamese seaweed salad. Vietnamese noodle soup with seafood and crab cakes, Bun cha – Vietnamese grilled pork with rice vermicelli, Grilled duck breast with Hue style fermented tofu and steamed rice, and the famous Phở Bò – savoury beef noodle soup – regarded as the most recognised Vietnamese dish and arguably one of the most delicious dishes in the world. 

Sample Western dishes include seared beef fillet, roasted marinated duck breast, roasted chicken, pan-fried seabass, and baked crayfish.

Business Class menus for specific routes can be downloaded in advance via the Vietnam Airlines Business Class Dining section of the airline's website.

Before take-off, passengers receive a welcome drink of a signature juice drink, water, or sparkling wine. Once airborne, Vietnam Airlines typically serves Heidsieck & Co's Monopole Blue Top Brut Champagne. The airline deserves credit for serving Champagne and other wines in proper high stemmed glasses.

Business Class passengers choose from a selection of two white and two red wines plus spirits handpicked by the airline's sommeliers. An expanded drinks menu is available on routes to Europe, Australia, Japan, and Korea, including fresh juices, pasteurised milk, carbonated water, and more. A bar service is also available on the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft to specific routes.

Business Class passengers can sample delicious signature cocktails on flights to the UK, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, and Australasia. Try the Beloved Hue – a blend of whisky, apple and lemon juice, diced ginger, and sugar. Alternatively, sample the Phan Thiet Red Dunes cocktail – inspired by the red Phan Thiet dunes. A selection of branded aperitifs and spirits, including Campari, Remy Martin Cognac V.S.O.P, Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal, Jonnie Walker whisky, Bailey's Irish Cream, plus soft drinks, mineral waters, speciality teas, and cappuccino and espresso coffee is also available on aircraft with espresso machines.  

A unique treat when flying Vietnam Airlines Business Class is to enjoy special Vietnamese coffee. Order a delicious Vietnamese iced coffee sweetened with condensed milk, or any of the other six types of Vietnamese coffee on offer. 

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on which Champagne is served in Business Class and First Class on many airlines. We do our best to keep track of any changes but feel free to let us know if we missed something.

Vietnam Airlines offers passengers a good standard of service, and though it may not be as personalised as with some leading airlines, passengers will still feel welcomed and relaxed by the attentive crew. Flight attendants are professional, friendly, and courteous, and with a generous ratio of up to four cabin crew for the Business Class cabin.

Vietnam Airlines takes pride in its cultural heritage, reflected in the attractive cabin crew uniforms incorporating elements of Vietnam's traditional dress, the Ao Dai, in striking aqua blue and gold colours complementing the airline's branding.  

Vietnam Airlines provides Business Class passengers with personal 15.4 inch (39 centimetres) touchscreen HD in-flight entertainment screens on the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft with the airline's LOTUSTAR entertainment system offering world movies, including Hollywood films, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese language films. Other content includes popular television series, documentaries, audiobooks, music, children's films and games. A route map is also available, though you won't find any real-time external cameras. A handheld remote control adds a convenient way to control the IFE screen. Headphones are pretty basic and aren't overly noise-cancelling.  

The PressReader digital app allows passengers to download magazine and newspaper content directly to their Down devices 24 hours before departure. Downloaded publications can be read online and offline for another 24 hours after landing. Passengers have a selection of over 7000 titles in 70 languages covering favourite topics such as news, sport, and entertainment.

In-flight Wi-Fi is available to purchase on select Vietnam Airlines flights with packages based on time usage and data plan. Wi-Fi vouchers can be purchased via the airline's website or mobile app. Check your flight details to see if Wi-Fi is available via the airline's website before departure.  

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on Wi-Fi and inflight entertainment.

Business Class passengers are provided with a soft pillow, a smooth blanket, and slippers found in the ottoman footwell of their seat. On flights over four hours, an amenity kit is offered and contains an eye mask, Swiss Charriol-branded lip balm and moisturising cream, earplugs, comb, and a dental kit. The amenity kits also include stickers for passengers to inform cabin attendants not to be disturbed or woken up for meal service and duty-free shopping.

Well-maintained lavatories contain additional skincare branded products by GERnétic, plus aqua water from French dental care brand Bucco Therm. Pleasing touches include fresh flowers and an odour-eating scent bag hanging on the door. 

Hot towels are provided to refresh face and hands several times during the flight, including upon boarding and before dinner service.

Families travelling with infants up to two years of age can pre-reserve seats suitable for a bassinet.

The bulk of short- and medium-haul flights is operated by the Airbus A321, offering between 8 and 16 reclining Business Class seats in a 2-2 configuration at the front of the aircraft.

As with the long-haul routes, passengers are greeted with a welcome drink of juice, water, or Champagne. Soon after take-off, flight attendants set the table with pressed linens and hand out refreshing hot towels before meal service.  

Typically, passengers choose between two main courses on shorter flights, including a vegetarian option served on a single tray along with starter and dessert courses. Vietnam Airlines' food is of a good standard, and passengers should find the fresh dishes delicious and satisfying.

Vietnam Airlines has invested in a fleet of modern, next-generation aircraft to help reduce fuel and carbon emissions and help meet its goals of net zero emissions by 2050. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A321neo save between 20 to 25 per cent of fuel and reduce emissions by up to 30 per cent compared to the older predecessors used by the airline.

In May 2023, Vietnam Airlines completed the SkyTeam Airline Alliance greener travel initiative "The Sustainable Flight Challenge" (TSFC), in which a Boeing 787-9 long-haul flight from Hanoi to Frankfurt in Germany implemented various innovative environmental protection activities. These activities included serving Vietnamese delicacies using seasonal ingredients and sustainably sourced plant-based alternatives. Passengers on the flight were encouraged to use their own personal items, such as water bottles, blankets, and other amenities, rather than the disposable items provided by the airline, and passengers were given upcycled souvenir tote bags made from decommissioned life vests destined for plastic waste disposal.    

Vietnam Airlines is committed to several humanitarian and social projects, including donations to Operation Smile – providing free surgery to children with facial deformities. The airline is also working with VietHarvest to donate excess food from its kitchens to enterprises offering quality food to needy people.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.