Vietnam Airlines
 

I'll start by saying that I know Vietnam is not in Europe but there is a reason why I am posting this here.
My daughter is setting off on a gap year to Vietnam. By far the cheapest flight out of Manchester is via Paris (on Air France) and then on on Vietnam Airlines. This costs a good £200 less than the next option. I don't know a lot about this airline and I'm wondering whether the reason they don't fly from the U.K. is to do with a bad safety/ maintenance record. Is this one of those airlines which the C.A.A. will not allow to operate out of the U.K.? I am also fully aware of the colonial ties which Indo-China had with France which may also be the reason for this and nothing to do with airline safety.
I didn't think that the Asia board may be as aware of the answer as the well- informed people on this board so that is why I am posting here.
Thanks!

I have flown Vietnam Airlines at least 3 times inside the country of Vietnam. I have never felt there was a problem. In fact if you are flying within the country you don't have much choice except to fly with them. They were just as safe for me and the many people I know who have to fly within Vietnam as any other airline would be. Actually I have hear of no accidents with them.

You will get far better response if you post of the Asia side of this forum.

I have flown with Vietnam Airlines a couple of times and they are fine, though on regional routes in Asia. For their long hauls they fly to Paris, Frankfurt and Moscos in Europe, they are using new 777 aircraft on the routes. The reason they fly mostly to Paris and Frankfurt is that is where their passenger market is. They plan to start flying 2006/7 to West Coast USA, they fly throughout Asia and also down to Australia. There is nothing wrong with them at all.
Alternatives would be Lufthansa, Air France, Thai, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines all who fly to Vietnam, I think though the Paris connection to Vietnam Airlines will be the fastest.

One of the advantages of this flight apart from price is that it avoids a stopover in Singapore, K.L. or Bangkok.Thank you maryanne 1 its good to hear your experience.

JamesA- we were posting at the same time. It takes me back as you were in touch I think when my eldest daughter was on her gap-year. Thank you for your information.

I didn't have any problems flying Vietnam Airlines. You can get further opinions from www.airlinequality.com - it isn't the best rated airline, but safety isn't an issue.

I have flown them twice inside Vietnam. Everything was fine. Modern planes, good service etc... Not to worry!

I've only flown Hue-Hanoi with this airline, but they were fine. Admittedly I would have had second thoughts when they were still flying Tupolevs.

Frances, perhaps you should explain directly to the contributors over on the Asia forum that their extensive knowledge of Asia, including Asian airlines, carries less weight than the Europhiles here. A nicely Eurocentric touch, that.

Vietnam is certainly a popular destination for French tourists, despite the fact that to their chagrin they mostly have to use English to communicate with their former colonial subjects. However, very few posters on this forum are French.

We've flown Sydney - Ho Chi Ming. Hanoi - KL with no problems at all. The plane's interior was a little tired but this was 4 years ago.

I think you will find those on the Asia side somewhast more informed about Vietnam Airlines!

I found the airlinequality website very interesting. When I asked this question it was from the point of view of safety whereas now-if it was my trip I think I'd pay the extra.
Thank you all!

When our VN Airbus landed at Hanoi the Vietnamese passengers spontaneously burst into applause. While it was an impeccable touchdown, I couldn't help wondering whether this reaction was a hangover from the chancier Tupolev days.