Hanoi Lotus Lounge

[Keshia]

Hi everyone,

I hope that I am posting this in the correct forum. I tried to ask TripAdvisor but other than "its boring" I got no helpful responses.

I've been considering Vietnam Airlines business class SYD > LHR in March. I know I'm cutting it close, but for personal reasons I've had to leave it quite late unfortunately.

The flight itself is pretty straight forward, but on the return it has a 19 hour layover in Hanoi. I tried to find some reviews on the lotus lounge but they're all from late 2015 or earlier. I just wanted to know people's thoughts and why so I know what I'm getting myself into for a lovely 19 hours... I prefer not to get a visa and hotel as that'll just be too much money.

Thanks!

 

[Longtoo]

The lounge at Noi Bai airport is basic, you have shower, plenty of comfortable chairs to seat, buffer food + vietnamese noodle (Pho), some beer + wine + spirit to choose from. It is ok for short wait but not for 19 h lay-over. Depending on your passport, you may be able to get a visa on arrival to enter Vietnam. You will have to arrange and pay for it in advance and it is not expensive. Hotel is also not expensive. The airport is about 30 min by taxi from the city. traffic is unpredictable thus you will need to consider the hotel option carefully.

 

[leadman]

19 hours would be torture to spend in that lounge and the airport, but 19 hours to me is more than enough to go down to the city. Leave two hours for visa pick-up/customs and taxi to town, then 2 hours back you have 14 to play with in Ha Noi. VN might be able to give you guidance too on a quick visa.

 

[Dr Bob]

Hi Keshia & welcome to the land of collective knowledge.
Can't help as have never used Vietnam J but plan to next year so will read further responses with interest.

 

[Longtoo]

VN has a new 787 fleet, good service, excellent price in J. I would recommend a hotel close to the Australian embassy, to the north if possible. It would then mostly be freeway from the airport, although their version of freeway still involves some intersection. Taxi is dirt cheap, just need to make sure that you ask them to turn on the meter and that you have map.me with you. Some streets in Hanoi are not accessible to Taxi during rush hours (don't ask why). Thus if traveling in the city centre between 7-9 am and 4-6 pm, Uber r grab are good alternative.

 

[leadman]

if you do venture down town, the Sofitel is a superb stay, even just going in for a drink.

 

[I love to travel]

The lounge food is very basic. Agree with others go into town