Vietnam...why not?
 

What is the theory of not being able to travel to Vietnam using a XONEX?

What is the best way to integrate Vietnam into a XONEX [as a paid ticket]?

What about Camboida?

Does the restriction apply to Cathay only or does it apply to Qantas (i.e. is SYD-Vietnam allowed)?

It's been a couple years since I looked at this topic, so my information is only that current. Vietnam Airlines and Cathay Pacific codeshare and revenue share on the route. Vietnam Airlines is not a partner in OneWorld. Thus, although there is some Cathay metal into Vietnam, because of the revenue sharing, they do not allow these flights to be included in a OneWorld RTW.

What about Qantas?

What is the least expensive way into Vietnam?

Qantas use Vietnam Airlines (VN) for their codeshare flights to (SGN), so can't be used with OneWorld Explorer or other OneWorld products.

Did you do a search?

While not explicitly answering what the "least expensive way" into Vietnam is, there is some useful information here, and probably in other threads.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=425550
See my post #10

Cheapest might be for you to just buy a ticket on SQ. Bite the bullet.. yeah.. no miles, and not even Oneworld.. but they currently do offer the cheapest fares.

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/app/...currentSite=sg

Alternatively, you may buy cheap tickets from Bangkok agents.. on AF or LH that have 5th Freedom traffic rights between BKK and Vietnam.

Keep in mind though that the Qantas codeshare from Sydney on Vietnam Airlines *is* allowed with the Global Explorer fare though, just not the oneworld explorer fare.

As for cheap options, flying Tiger Airways from Singapore is probably as cheap as you're going to find www.tigerairways.com . They've had fares recently for SG$9.98 each way plus taxes to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city, so that's not to be sneezed at.

Last I looked, one could get tickets in BKK to Cambodia for under $120 RT on Bangkok Airlines. From PNH one can fly to HCMC or Hanoi for very little.

Good chance for a plug for Bangkok Airways (no fiscal connection with them, just use them a bit when in the region) - they're a really great little airline, in terms of service.

We flew into Vietnam about 6 months ago flying AA from JFK to NRT and we then connected to an AA code share to SGN operated by JAL using Air Vietnam metal. We returned to NRT on the same type of code share from Hanoi. We were unable to fly One World into Cambodia.

I've been to Vietnam & Laos. IN my experience it is much easier and cost effective to get a flight through BKK and book cheap flights locally on Thai or Vietnam Air (Thai are full *A which makes it more attractive to some). I flew OW through BKK in Feb 04 on a very cheap Business class ticket and bought my Indochina tickets in BKK.

Great trip, great part of the world!!

And free lounge access (they have a dedicated lounge at BKK) for all pax! (few ppl know about this).