Vietnam Airlines’ A321 economy seating offers a straightforward yet practical experience, much like other short-haul economy products—simple, standard, and well-suited for the price of a ticket.

Each of the 168 economy seats on VN-A397 features standard economy-class design, with comfortable fabric cushioning, an 81 cm (or 32 inch) seat pitch,18 inch seat width and and a backrest recline of 11.5 cm. Today, seated in a bulkhead row, we’re lucky to enjoy the generous legroom shown below.

The seats in this configuration also come with firm armrests that house foldable, adjustable tray tables.

Interestingly, the firm and structured design of the armrests contributes to a sense of spaciousness, making the seats feel surprisingly wide—even in the 3-3 layout of a narrow-body aircraft.

Coming into this flight, having flown with Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways just a few months earlier, my expectations were high.

Yet, Vietnam Airlines did not disappoint. From boarding to deplaning as the last passenger, the hospitality was exceptional.

Every member of the cabin crew interacted with passengers in a courteous and warm manner, their welcoming expressions a constant throughout the journey. In fact, imagining a Vietnam Airlines cabin crew without a smile feels as unlikely as eating cereal without milk—simply impossible.

Our two-hour journey to Ho Chi Minh City included a meal service reminiscent of a late lunch, served shortly after reaching 10,000 feet.

For today’s meal, I chose the chicken with rice in sauce, accompanied by seasoned vegetables.

If one thing was reaffirmed during this flight, it’s that Asian carriers—Vietnam Airlines in particular—excel in delivering outstanding Oriental-inspired catering.

Each bite of the chicken was tender and flavorful, perfectly complemented by the savory yet slightly sweet sauce. Paired with warm, steamed white rice, the meal felt comforting, almost like soul food—a fitting choice for a journey that marked my first solo trip in quite some time.

VN Economy meal trays come with a bread roll and butter, a banana, and a choice of beverages, including fruit juices, soft drinks, or alcohol.

Following the meal service, as we approached Vietnam’s southern coast, the crew offered hot beverages. I gladly accepted, savoring a warm drink to prepare for the six-hour layover ahead at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

On our A321, personal IFE screens are not available in either Economy or Business Class.

However, while browsing through the literature in the seat pocket, I discovered the option for mobile-based entertainment. By connecting to the onboard LotuStar WiFi, passengers can access the same IFE system found on the seat-back screens of Vietnam Airlines' widebody aircraft—a pleasant surprise.

It’s worth noting that the WiFi does not support internet browsing.

The seat pocket itself is well-stocked with a variety of items, including an airsickness bag, a Lotushop catalogue, a magazine, and, perhaps most notably, a “Heritage Guide” to Ho Chi Minh City—a handy resource for travelers eager to explore Saigon.

Despite the short 2 hour flight, blankets were still provided for all passengers. However, pillows are not provided.

Lavatory: The standard economy-class lavatories are located at the rear of the A321. They are kept clean and well-maintained throughout the flight, equipped with basic amenities like hand soap and towels—perfectly adequate for domestic and short-haul routes.

Wet Towels: Before takeoff, as the aircraft taxied toward the runway, disposable hand towels were distributed to all economy passengers. The packaging was attractively branded in Vietnam Airlines’ signature colors, adding a nice touch to the experience.

The standout feature of this flight is undoubtedly its value for money.

Vietnam Airlines faces stiff competition—Singapore Airlines (SQ) sets the benchmark for quality, while VietJet Air (VJ) dominates the low-cost market. Vietnam Airlines, however, strikes a balance between the two, offering affordable (though not necessarily cheap) fares with included meal service, entertainment, and exceptional hospitality on a short two-hour regional flight.

In my opinion, the true value of Vietnam Airlines lies in the type of aircraft you fly on.

To be clear, I’m not criticizing the A321 or its onboard offering. However, when the route is operated by one of Vietnam Airlines’ widebody aircraft, passengers enjoy a far more comprehensive experience, comparable to Singapore Airlines’ renowned service—arguably the gold standard in the region.

As an insider note, fares for Vietnam Airlines flights can sometimes drop if the flight is upgraded to a widebody aircraft, making it an even better value.