Regarding the flights from Europe, particularly from the Netherlands to Vietnam, I have observed and experienced some of the popular airlines and would like to share some insights: 

✈️  Cathay Pacific: Last year, Cathay Pacific had a promotion offering round-trip business class tickets for around two thousand euros. This was a fantastic deal, considering it was equivalent to economy-class fares on some other airlines. The plus point was its excellent quality and customer service (They often helped me get bookings without having to pay to wait for the visa). The lounges at Hong Kong Airport are especially impressive and I got a short flight from the Netherlands to Saigon (15 hours including transit), which made me satisfied. However, the downside was that the transit on the return from Saigon to Amsterdam was quite long (more than 7 hours), especially when traveling with an active child. Some journeys could last over 24 hours, which might make you consider stepping out for a while. However, this could be a bit bothersome as it would require applying for a visa for me (I hold a Vietnamese passport) since you would have to go through customs. Visa application services for Vietnamese citizens last year seemed to be limited and took time to apply. 

If your passport allows you to enter Hong Kong without a visa, it might be worth considering this option and taking a short trip to Hong Kong. There was sometimes on Skyscanner a flight from the Netherlands to Saigon via Cathay, with a stopover in Frankfurt at an attractive price. If you come across deals like this, it is advisable to book promptly as prices tend to increase daily. A shortcoming when having long layovers at Hong Kong Airport is the absence of in-airport hotels. Most airport hotels require passing through customs to access them. However, the airport lounges are exceptionally comfortable, and you have the option to pay for entry.

 

✈️  Qatar Airways is another member of OneWorld, like Cathay Pacific (So if you accumulate membership points, you can pay attention to airline alliances). They frequently run promotions, so it is worth following their Facebook page or subscribing to their newsletters for updates on special offers. For example, in October 2022, they had a promotion for VISA cardholders, offering a 10% discount with a promo code. Qatar Airways is known for its high-quality service and luxurious aircraft. The Qsuite on Qatar Airways is particularly appealing, especially for traveling with a child. The layover from Vietnam back to the Netherlands is usually long for me (7-8 hours) as I always travel with my kid nowadays. After Covid 19, Qatar offered super good prices on business class tickets yet they have recently increased significantly.

Doha Airport has an on-site hotel for those with extended layovers, although it is a bit pricey. An alternative is Fly&Sleep, located within the airport, offering small rooms with beds for relaxation. In the past, there used to be a stopover option with specific rules, like a 24-hour sightseeing opportunity, and you did not require a visa (though I vaguely remember this, as it was quite some time ago). Unfortunately, this option stopped last year and I have no idea if they have opened again this year or not. Another aspect that I appreciate about Qatar Airways is its responsive customer service. When I reached out to them on Facebook, they provided immediate and courteous responses, avoiding automated replies. Additionally, Qatar Airways used to have a ticket office in Vietnam, which was incredibly convenient for getting assistance. However, with the pandemic, I am unsure if the ticket office is still operational or if it has closed down.

 

✈️  Singapore Airlines offers excellent in-flight quality, but their customer service can be a bit difficult to contact. However, when I called their Singapore call center directly, the staff was dedicated, cheerful, and helpful. 

Singapore Airlines stands out for having short transit flights (there is also a long transit option if you want), with just one stop, and a long-haul flight, offering up to 10 hours of sleep. While ticket prices can be high, Singapore Airlines occasionally offers promotional fares, and their app indicates days with good prices. But please keep in mind that promotional prices often apply to adults only and do not cover children. Moreover, if you spot a good fare on their app, consider booking it right away as it might not be available when you look again. Singapore Airlines occasionally runs exclusive app promotions for activities like booking hotels and collaborating with various OTAs.

One minus point is the hassle of contacting the office when issues arise, and the uncertainty of whether the Vietnamese or Netherlands ticket office is still operational. Some of SIA’s flights are in partnership with Scoot, which can offer competitive prices. If I have to transit for a long time in Singapore, I can go out without worrying about my visa. If I am short on time but want to relax and recline, there is an airport hotel, and the flexible hourly rates are reasonable, unlike regular hotels. The only thing I do not like about SIA is their business-class small gift bag, which has become quite boring and is now only given upon request. Nevertheless, even with discounted tickets like business class, you can enjoy all the services they offer (as mentioned in the airline below).

 

✈️  Emirates is also an airline with reasonable routes for short transits, making it a comfortable option for older travelers. However, I find their in-flight service somewhat lacking, and their ticket prices are often quite high. In the past, it was always lower than Singapore Airlines but now sometimes even higher. I do not think the service and aircraft are as good as SIA. Additionally, Emirates sometimes restricts lounge access even for business-class travelers, who buy tickets at promotional prices (even still quite high). If you want to enter, you have to pay extra. After all, as business class passengers, we generally use lounges for relaxation, not to gorge ourselves. 

On a recent European trip, my friend experienced Chauffeur service issues: no-show after hours of waiting, and a lack of contact information. In our case, we had an irritable chauffeur who blamed the flight’s delay on us (even though the delay was the airline’s fault). He even refused to accommodate everyone because he claimed it was too crowded and there was too much luggage. However, I noticed that his car had ample space for extra passengers and luggage. Also during the initial booking, we specified the number of passengers and luggage. Luckily, my husband drove to the airport to pick us up. Later on, the chauffeur took the wrong route to my house. When my husband signaled him to follow the correct one, he stopped the car, unloaded our luggage, and asked everyone to get out because his GPS only recognized this address. He said that he had to pick up other passengers. Fortunately, Emirates’ office in Ho Chi Minh City is still open, making it convenient for inquiries if needed.

 

✈️  Turkish Airlines provides reasonable flight options with shorter layovers, ideal for ensuring a good night’s sleep for young children (3 hours from Amsterdam to Istabul, 3 hours transit and around 10 hours from Istabul to Ho Chi Minh City). However, Turkish Airlines has specific days when flights from Vietnam necessitate two layovers (in Hanoi and Istanbul). It seems that flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays involve these double stops. The negative point is that Turkish Airlines’ customer service is very bad,  some staff can be brusque and not particularly helpful. Their responsiveness can be quite limited. I checked their Facebook page and noticed many people expressing their dissatisfaction with the staff’s attitude. While their Messenger responses were personal and not automated, they did not pay as much attention to customers’ questions as Qatar Airways does. Contacting their ticket office in the Netherlands by phone is not an option. Their ticket office in the Netherlands could not help with anything, which was quite different from SIA where the local office effectively handled ticket exchanges, cancellations, and refunds.

After conversing with Turkish Airlines customer service and their ticket office, they assured me that the money deducted for an unsuccessful transaction would be refunded within 7 working days. However, it took more than 2 weeks, and I had not yet seen any reimbursement. Eventually, it took around a month for me to receive the refund for the fraud transaction with their website after they investigated and responded to me. Their email responses were very irresponsible and evasive. The plus point is that Turkish Airlines offers good promotional prices if not flying on the weekend. Turkish Airlines used to have an office in Vietnam, but I am uncertain if it is currently operational due to the pandemic. Details about my experience with Turkish Airlines will be in another post. 

Thanks for reading!

 

Thu Trang – Co-founder of Eastex Travel