The High Flyer Visits Ho Chi Minh City!

[SQ225]

Vietnam's state flag on a shopfront. Many shops prominently displayed the state flag in celebration of Independence Day, 2 September.

Not sure what this meant, but it was definitely related to Independence Day.

I can roughly translate that for you

"Everything for the richness of people, a strong country, equal society, democracy and civilisation"

Nice lounge, definately nicer than the SASCO lounge as SuperJonJon pointed out, great variety of food as well which is nice.

Excellent TR. - Hope you enjoyed your stay.

[MAN Flyer]

The Lounge Invitation issued at the check-in counter. I wasn't given a choice between the lounge and a massage, unlike other SQTalkers in the past.

Did you see any massage places open in the new terminal ?. I would presume it's not up and running yet that's why you didn't get one. They had a letter on the counter at checkin in the old terminal advising you of the option.

The new lounge looks so much better and more spacious than the old SASCO lounge!

Surely a contender for understatement of the year !!.

The lounge looks tremendous, and is that a tramac view I can see...

My colleague who is a Star Alliance Gold was able to enter. I guess they issue the invitation cards to those who are not *A Gold members but travelling on Raffles/Business Class, like me. Or, I could have been invited to another lounge, given the words "First Class Lounge" on the card. But I was specifically told the lounge was next to Gate 16. I hope I didn't miss a more exclusive experience!

You always needed an invitation at the old place, whether *A Gold or in Raffles. If someone got in without an invitation then they've changed the policy. They were anal about having an invitation to get in at the old place. Didn't matter how many Gold Card's you had - no invite no entry!. They also called it a First Class lounge.

[The High Flyer]

"Everything for the richness of people, a strong country, equal society, democracy and civilisation"

How does democracy figure in a socialist country? I have also been wanting to ask why a country like North Korea has the official name of Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Does the word democracy here differ in explanation from what we understand?

[The High Flyer]

Did you see any massage places open in the new terminal ?. I would presume it's not up and running yet that's why you didn't get one. They had a letter on the counter at checkin in the old terminal advising you of the option.
...
The lounge looks tremendous, and is that a tramac view I can see...
...
You always needed an invitation at the old place, whether *A Gold or in Raffles.

Nope, I definitely did not see any massage places. The airside part of Departure Hall isn't big. Nothing like what you see at Changi. However, there is something that definitely will be of interest to some of us here. I'll share the picture later.

Yes, that's the tarmac you see. There was a Vietnam Airlines jet parked next door when I was there.

Good to know that I was at the right lounge. There is actually another lounge in the terminal, as you'll see later. Isn't all these teasing killing you?!

[The High Flyer]

Trip Report: Part 10

MANFlyer, is this what you're looking for?



OK, I know some of you SQTalkers will love this place!



China Airlines Lounge. Where's taipeiflyer?



Gate 18: Home of SQ173



The near-empty holding area at Gate 18. I was very late! The beautiful Boeing 777-200ER can be seen behind the glass window.



The lucky number for the day is... *drums rolling* 9V-SVK! Outbound on SVJ, inbound on SVK. Is this supposed to be a no-brainer?

[The High Flyer]

Trip Report: Part 11

China Airlines jet next door. This picture and the next were taken from the aerobridge.



My 9V-SVK, close-up. SQflyergirl, don't get any funny ideas here!



Bye bye, Tan Soon Nhat International Terminal!



What airline is this? Blue planes with yellow flowers on their tails. Anyway, there weren't many of these around. This airline must be unimportant.



We had to make way for a landing VN jet. Too bad I couldn't catch the landing in time. Nevertheless, beautiful sunset!



An airport vehicle was seen scuttling away into the distance. It must have been intimidated by this loud, roaring beast that I was in!

[The High Flyer]

Trip Report: Part 12

"Singapore 173 for 25 Right. Report ready!" Okay okay, I'm not a qualified ATC!



The sky's the limit! Beautiful cloud formations.



Dinner was Con Suon Cha -- Vietnamese-style grilled pork with soya garlic sauce, vermicelli crab cake, vegetables and steamed rice.



Close-up of my grilled pork dish. It was very good!



We landed at Changi Airport's Gate F41. I didn't know SQ334 was operated with a B772ER!



Heee... Do you see what I see?

[The High Flyer]

22 days, 52 posts and 72 photos later, we have come to end of The High Flyer's first, colourful and comprehensive trip report. We hope that you have enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Here at SQTalk, we are constantly striving to serve you better. If you have any feedback, please do not hesitate to drop us a mail. You are welcome to add to this thread or write a PM to The High Flyer! Adios!

[Lobster]

The High Flyer thank you for the trip report I thought it was excellent

[9V-JKL]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us here. I've not been to SGN for 2 years now. After seeing it, I'm yearning to go there again. Airport is SO much better compared to the past

[KeithMEL]

Thanks for sharing, THF!

I've not been to SGN.
Hope to rectify that before too long.

[YK@HKG]

Well-done!! I hope my future TR can be half as good as this one

[SQflyergirl]

My 9V-SVK, close-up. SQflyergirl, don't get any funny ideas here!

Funny ideas about what? oh by the way, you have TWO 772ER's? wow! I'm even more impressed! Do you own any 744's ?

[The High Flyer]

Funny ideas about what? oh by the way, you have TWO 772ER's? wow! I'm even more impressed! Do you own any 744's ?

Unfortunately, no. But I do have two Concordes in my backyard. Let me know when you feel like having a ride in them.

[SQFAN]

Hmmm did you expect a Megatop?

That pilot could barely fit into the jet fighter from the looks of that picture.

Thanks for your TR. Ooh, must visit SGN soon.