Vietnam Transit

[somebol]

We are travelling BKK-SGN-MEL on bamboo airways in J (all on 1 ticket).
We have a 11 hour transit in SGN, our flight from BKK arrives at 12:30 and the onward flight to melbourne departs at 23:40.

I have read conflicting reports regarding lounge access in SGN when travelling on bamboo. We are travelling with 2 kids (10 & 8) so want to avoid staying in the airport if we don't have lounge access.

Questions for the brains trust
1. What is the lounge situation in SGN when travelling with bamboo?
2. Is it worth getting an e-visa and entering the country, given that we realistically will have only 6-7 hours (leaving time for exit immigration and getting back to the airport 3 hours before the flight)

 

[jase05]

There were signs for Bamboo Airlines at the Le Saigonnaise lounge when we were there last.
The lounge is ok but not somewhere to spend more than a couple of hours and they were pretty strict on 3hr max in lounge rule.
The visa is easy enough to get if you wanted to head into the city which is what I would do. Just bear in mind the traffic to the airport can be horrendous at times, sometimes it takes us 30 minutes other times over an hour. No way would I camp out at the airport all day though. Much better to head into town and have a bit of a wander around and a feed at one of the many good restaurants. It’s only the two of us though so you might not want to fork out for 4 visas for that length of time

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Sorry for reopening the thread but need to ask: how does transit work for Canadian citizens (this should be the same as Australians as the same entry rules seem to apply). In particular, I've got a flight I'm looking to book: SYD to FRA on Vietnam Airways. For the outbound I've got a 6.5 hour layover in Saigon whereas for the return I have a choice: either a 13.5 hour layover in Saigon or a 2.5 hour layover in Hanoi followed by a 9.5 layover in Saigon (the latter being $400 AUD cheaper). I am guessing a simple 6.5 hour or 13 hour layover in Saigon is no issue since I won't be leaving the international transit area but having that domestic connection could mean clearing immigration which might be problematic, even if I have no intention of entering Vietnam.

As an aside, I plan on spending the time at the airport regardless of itinerary. I've got AmEx Platinum so should have access to at least two lounges at the international terminal: The Apricot Lounge and the Jasmine Halal Lounge. I also have Delta Gold Medallion status which should give me access to the Vietnam Airlines Lounge

Would appreciate any feedback here.

-RooFlyer88