Traveling as a Vegan with Vietnam Airlines: Our Honest Review

Experiencing Vietnam Airlines: A Vegan Journey

When planning our trip to Seoul, we booked our flights with Vietnam Airlines, not only for the ease of travel but to experience their business class services firsthand. As vegans, we were particularly focused on how well they would cater to our dietary requirements via the VGML (Vegan Meal) special meal option. This article will summarize our travel adventure from Singapore to Seoul, highlighting the culinary aspects that can make or break a flight experience for vegan travelers.

Check-In: The First Impression

Our travel began smoothly with a dedicated business class check-in at Changi Airport. Vietnam Airlines staff were efficient and professional, ensuring our bags were checked in for both legs of our flight, giving us boarding passes in a timely manner. Unfortunately, the excitement of flying was somewhat dampened by the lack of any vegan options in the SATS Premier Lounge, aside from a few fruit choices. This glaring oversight raised our awareness of how essential pre-flight meal planning can be for vegan travelers.

A Short-Haul Experience: Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City

Onboard the A321 aircraft, we encountered some initial discomfort due to malfunctioning seats, which could be a concern for any passenger. However, the highlight was the VGML meal, which pleasantly surprised us with a tofu in black bean sauce dish accompanied by a salad and a roll of vegan butter. The flavors were outstanding, making it one of the tastiest vegan meals we've had in-flight.

Lotus Lounge: A Missed Opportunity

Despite our limited time at the Lotus Lounge in Ho Chi Minh City, we expected at least some plant-based options. Disappointingly, we found nothing but fruit, leaving us wanting. It showcased a significant gap in catering to vegan passengers, making us question whether air travel is genuinely accommodating those on specialized diets. This experience highlights the importance of proactive communication from airlines about available meal options both on and off the aircraft.

Long-Haul Comfort: The Flight to Seoul

Flying on the more luxurious Dreamliner 787 offered better comfort and space than our previous leg. However, our excitement waned upon discovering that we were served the exact same VGML meal—despite the better plating and presentation this time around. Initially disappointed to eat the same food yet again, we were grateful for the addition of a delicious vegan sponge cake for dessert. It was a bright spot in an otherwise monotonous meal selection.

Incheon Airport Lounge: A Vegan Oasis?

Before our journey back to Ho Chi Minh City, we had access to the Korean Air Lounge. Unlike the previous lounges, this one provided at least a few vegan options, including a mushroom soup and sautéed vegetables with rice. Such proactive catering truly makes a difference for travelers, illustrating how the airline landscape is slowly evolving to accommodate dietary diversities. This experience underlined the critical need for airlines and lounges to recognize and address vegan travelers' needs.

Homeward Bound: Reflection on Vegan Meal Quality

Our return flight aboard the Dreamliner saw us served a different VGML dish, which was lackluster compared to our earlier meals and frankly, quite uninspired. The canapés were disappointing, showcasing a missed opportunity for creative vegan cuisine. The crew's attempt to remedy the situation with instant noodles was a gesture of goodwill, yet left us feeling less than satisfied.

The Vegan Travel Landscape

Despite the ongoing improvements across the airline industry catering to vegan diets, our experience with Vietnam Airlines demonstrated significant room for growth. While some airlines, like Emirates, are leading the charge with exciting, diverse vegan options, Vietnam Airlines seems to lag behind in this area. Friendly service aside, we hope to see them elevate their offerings and understand that creative vegan plates are essential to drawing in a more discerning travel crowd in the future.

Final Thoughts: Choose Wisely When You Fly

In conclusion, flying as a vegan doesn't have to mean compromising on quality, but the onus is on us to inform airlines of our needs when booking. If you plan to travel with Vietnam Airlines, it's vital to pre-order your vegan meals, and maybe anticipate some variability in meal quality. The journey is part of the adventure—hopefully, future experiences will yield better vegan food options. So pack your bags, book that flight, and get ready for both a culinary and travel adventure that caters to your lifestyle needs!