Hello Everyone,
This is my debut TR, been reading for some time but this is the first time I've had the time and motivation to post my own. This trip was a fairly regular Vietnamese domestic flight on popular local LCC Vietjet Air. I fly them quite regularly within Vietnam and around Asia on their ever growing local network. This time I flew south from HPH-SGN on a normal A320 (of which VJ now have 22 I believe) with 2 friends. At this point I was thinking of starting my TR writing but in the rush to fly from an unknown airport I did not manage so...I'll describe that flight a little from memory. Then as I had a bit more time for the return SGN-HAN I started snapping away. After checking in I realised the flight would be operated by the new (and only) A321 in the fleet.
You will find that my future TR's will be mainly based around South East Asia (and possibly Europe when I take trips back to Scotland) and mostly using LCC's unless I come into some major $$. My style of flying is probably a little different form other members here, seeing as I have never been higher than Y and don't have any plans to at this point. My income is minimal living in Vietnam) so I will be sticking to lowest cost operators and deals and I don't have any mileage accounts or airline reward program memberships! But that doesn't stop me from flying whenever I can..usually 5-6 times a year and multiple flights per trip.
Advance apologies on the picture quality this TR, my phone camera is the only thing I have (except a massive SLR!).
Map courtesy of Great Circle Mapper.
Not my picture.. Did not catch the jet in daylight this time.
Flight 1 HPH-SGN
My friend and I took a taxi out to Cat Bi Airport about 5km South of Hai Phong city. The airport is only domestic although still carriers the word "international" in it's name. The check in area was small but I was processed quickly and efficiently by English speaking staff. The load to Ho Chi Minh today was at least 80% and considering this is small city it's impressive that 3 airlines can run about 3-4 flights a day each to Saigon.
Departing just before us was a Jetstar Pacific A321 recently leased from parent Vietnam Airlines destined for the Central city of Buon Ma Thuot. I thought it was quite a strange choice of plane for that route as the load looked quite small..and Vietjet reserve their 321 for HAN-SGN where there is a lot more demand.
The one picture I took at HPH and it's actually a better exterior shot than any I took in SGN!!
Vietjet's ambitious expansion plan, as well as current scheduled and charter routes
The flight was uneventful, with food and drink service making 2 rounds and also a dedicated Vietjet merchandise sale which attracted a lot of business from the Vietnamese first time flyers. Landed in Saigon on schedule and made our way by local bus (only 5000VND - 25cents) to the city centre.
Flight 2 SGN-HAN
After an exhausting 4 days in Saigon I made my way to the airport (this time by taxi) and waved goodbye to my friends as they headed back to HPH. But this time I was heading to HAN solo so I had time to document the trip better.
The taxi pulled up directly in front of the old terminal which is now purely domestic.
Before checking in, I wandered over to have a look at the international terminal. Although new, it is already overcrowded and clearly the new airport project needs to get going soon as Tan Son Nhat cannot get any bigger with it's location inside the city. Afternoon and evening international departures:
Vietjet have their own dedicated check in zone in SGN domestic. With a lot of departures (mostly to HAN) the area was busy and the wait was 15 minutes due mostly to locals with lots of check-in baggage. Vietjet recently launched a "skyboss" business service which gives lounge access, fasttrack check-in and free bags and food. The price difference is roughly triple the normal fare so there won't be a lot of interest in VN but it doesn't take up any space on the aircraft as the front section is still sold as economy. Check in was efficient and I requested a window seat which was acknowledged and agreed by the agent, though after receiving my boarding pass it was pointed out to me that they cannot select seats for me, despite being one of the first to check in 2 hours prior to departure. Oh well, no window pictures today!
Dedicated VJ terminal area.
Nice uniform!
Busy check in, quite a small area too
Red red red is the colour (apeing the success of another famous Asian LCC?)
Bond themed business lane
Having no desire for overpriced airport fast food or the lame Vietnamese food offered at SGN I brought my own bánh mỳ from the city. Supposed to be the best in the city.
Check out the meat content...30,000VND (about $1.50) which is an expensive sandwich in Vietnam.
After heading through security I did my normal airport routine (smoke, toilet, spotting, rest). Unfortunately SGN is pretty useless for spotting due to a walkway between the windows and the fact it was practically dark. However I did see this beast behind the ground level bus gates.
This might give you some indication of the number of flights between SGN and HAN every day..Mine is the 19.20 departure. Also notable is the fact that all the delays posted were for VN! The Vietnamese have nicknamed their national carrier "delay airlines" although the management are desperate to improve their reputation and become one of the best airlines in South East Asia. They still have a long way to go to match TG or SG. But the delivery of A350s and 787s this year should work in their favour. Their aging A330s and 777s are no match for the product found elsewhere.
Another domestic widebody of VN
Broken departure board
My happy place!!
Boarding pass which takes the form of a supermarket receipt similar to other LCC's. Although on the outbound flight from HPH I was issued a proper durable card.
Boarding commenced from gate 11 right on time and used an air-bridge possibly due to the use of a bigger jet (i'm not complaining). It meant of course that I couldn't catch sight of the jet until right on top of it!!
The queue was relatively orderly..Vietnamese people have no problem jumping in front of you so you have to be wary when waiting for anything!
Almost on board
