Table of Contents
- Chuseok Holiday Morning, From Gimhae Airport to Ho Chi Minh
- First Impressions of the Wide-Body B787-9 Dreamliner
- Vietnam Airlines In-Flight Entertainment
- In-Flight Meals & Kids' Meal – Kids First, Parents Take it Slow
- Korean Air Mileage Accumulation
- Overall Review – A Smooth and Comfortable Medium-Haul Flight
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Chuseok Holiday Morning, From Gimhae Airport to Ho Chi Minh
On the Chuseok holiday of 2025, I arrived at Gimhae International Airport at around 7 AM to board Vietnam Airlines VN423 (Busan-Ho Chi Minh), which was departing at 10 AM.
After completing the departure immigration, I relaxed at the N Skyhub Lounge enjoying a light meal and coffee. I then moved to the boarding gate in time for the scheduled departure. The flight departed on time without any delays.
This flight was booked a year in advance for a trip to Phu Quoc. Initially, an A321 aircraft with a 3-3 configuration was scheduled, but I received notice that it had been changed to a B787-9 Dreamliner with a 3-3-3 configuration a few months before departure.
It seems that aircraft changes occur depending on demand, but the news of the wide-body excited me even more for the trip. Personally, I’m fine with both narrow and wide bodies, but flying a larger aircraft provides a psychological sense of stability and increased anticipation.
Basic Information on Vietnam Airlines Busan-Ho Chi Minh VN423 (Peak Season Boarding)
Route/Flight Number:
Busan (PUS) → Ho Chi Minh (SGN) / VN423
Aircraft:
B787-9 Dreamliner (Wide-body, Economy 3-3-3)
Seat & Comfort:
Personal monitor, pillow, blanket, headset, electronic window shade
In-Flight Meal:
Kids’ meal is offered first
, Adults
Beef/Chicken rice bowl
Options
Service Tone: Friendly but
service and collection flow is slow
Mileages:
Korean Air Skypass accumulation possible (varies by class)
First Impressions of the Wide-Body B787-9 Dreamliner
Upon boarding the plane, my first thought was "Wow, this is a really big aircraft!" It was comforting to see that each seat was equipped with a personal monitor, blanket, pillow, and headset as standard.
The economy seats were arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration, while the business class featured a 1-2-1 full-flat seat layout. Since it was peak season, the flight was fully booked, and the legroom was more generous compared to low-cost carriers.
The most surprising feature was that there were no covers on the windows. Instead, the windows have electronic shading. This is convenient because you can adjust the transparency with a button next to the window.
When set to complete darkness, it was comfortable to use without glare. The feature that automatically darkens at cruising altitude was impressive. It clearly served as a significant advantage for watching screens with a child or relaxing during bright daylight.
Vietnam Airlines In-Flight Entertainment
Each seat on Vietnam Airlines' wide-body aircraft is equipped with a touchscreen monitor. This monitor supports Korean and allows users to choose from various menus such as movies, dramas, children's content, music, games, and flight information.
The quality of the headsets was decent, allowing us to enjoy the flight during the approximately 5-hour medium-haul trip without boredom.
Especially when flying with a child, kids’ movies and simple games were provided to keep them entertained and happy.
In-Flight Meals & Kids' Meal – Kids First, Parents Take it Slow
An hour after take-off, meal service began onboard. The cabin crew distributed simple drinks and snacks, with the pre-requested kids' meal served first.
The kids' meal consisted of tomato spaghetti, bread, cookies, and a drink. It was a simple menu but suitable for children. The flavors were not too salty and were soft, making it easy for the child to eat.
For the adults, the in-flight menu consisted of beef and chicken rice bowls. I tried both options; the beef rice bowl had a fantastic gochujang seasoning, while the chicken rice bowl was characterized by its soy sauce base.
The quality of Vietnam Airlines' in-flight meals was generally good. A variety of drinks, including juice, water, beer, and champagne, were available.
Subjectively, the service speed of the cabin crew felt a bit slow. Those accustomed to Korean Air or Asiana might find this aspect slightly disappointing.
Meal service was conducted slowly and sequentially starting from the front. Drinks, coffee, and tea were served multiple times separately, resulting in a longer waiting time. Additionally, the collection of meal trays was delayed, making the seating uncomfortable at times.
When compared to Korean Air, the speed was somewhat unsatisfactory. However, overall service was very friendly and the safety and punctuality were maintained without issues. By the time we arrived in Ho Chi Minh, it was raining.
Korean Air Mileage Accumulation
Vietnam Airlines is part of SkyTeam in collaboration with Korean Air. When making a ticket reservation, entering the Korean Air mileage number automatically accumulates miles. Additionally, post-flight mileage accumulation is also possible.
After 2-3 days post-flight, I checked the Korean Air website for my mileage and confirmed it had been successfully accumulated. The ability to accumulate mileage is one of the important factors when choosing Vietnam Airlines. Please refer to the post below for more detailed information on the booking method.
Overall Review – A Smooth and Comfortable Medium-Haul Flight
Flight VN423 connecting Busan and Ho Chi Minh was never boring due to the excellent stability and quiet indoor environment of the B787-9, a large aircraft, during the 4-5 hour flight.
The comfort of the wide-body B789, the priority provision of kids’ meals, and the IFE supporting Korean made it a comfortable choice ideal for family travel.
This flight is highly recommended for those who prioritize safety while traveling with children.
The service provided by the cabin crew was somewhat slow, but the quality of the in-flight meals, comfort of the seats, and consideration for traveling with children were satisfactory. The flight on a large aircraft departing from Busan was notably memorable due to the upgrade to a wide-body aircraft.
When traveling with family and kids, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.
First, it is advisable to request kids' meals, and early seat selection is essential.
Lastly, do not forget to register for Korean Air mileage accumulation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What type of aircraft is used for Vietnam Airlines VN423?
VN423 uses a wide-body B787-9 Dreamliner with a 3-3-3 configuration.
Originally it was an A321 narrow-body model, but a few months before departure, it was changed to the wide-body B787-9 Dreamliner with a 3-3-3 configuration. This aircraft offers spacious legroom, personal monitors, and electronic window shades, providing a comfortable experience. Thanks to the inherent stability of wide-body aircraft and the quiet indoor environment, it is suitable for medium-haul flights of around 4-5 hours.
Q. What in-flight entertainment services does Vietnam Airlines provide?
Touchscreen monitors with Korean support offer movies, dramas, children's content, etc.
Each seat is equipped with a personal touchscreen monitor that supports various languages, including Korean. You can enjoy a variety of content such as movies, dramas, music, games, and flight information. There are also kids’ movies and games available, making it suitable for family travelers. The quality of the headsets is good, reducing boredom during long flights.
Q. What are the characteristics of the in-flight meals and kids' meals on Vietnam Airlines VN423?
Kids' meal includes a child-friendly menu, and adults can choose between beef or chicken rice bowls.
The in-flight meals include beef rice bowl (with gochujang) and chicken rice bowl (soy sauce base), both of which are of decent taste and quality. The kids' meal consists of tomato spaghetti, bread, cookies, and a drink, designed to be soft and not salty for easy eating. The kids' meal is usually served first, allowing convenient dining for both kids and parents.
Q. How fast is the service provided by the cabin crew on Vietnam Airlines VN423?
The service is friendly, but tends to be a bit slow, taking time for meal service and collection.
The crew is very friendly, but the meal and drink service and tray collection tend to be long and sequential, resulting in some delays in the overall process. Compared to Korean Air or Asiana Airlines, the speed may be slightly disappointing, but safety and punctuality are maintained without issues, resulting in a relatively high level of overall service satisfaction.
Q. What is the method for accumulating Korean Air miles when boarding VN423?
You can input your Korean Air mileage number when booking or apply for post-flying accumulation.
Vietnam Airlines is part of SkyTeam, and if you enter your Korean Air mileage number into the reservation before boarding, the miles will accumulate automatically. Post-flight, you can also request mileage accumulation via the Korean Air website, typically confirming the registration within 2-3 days. This is one of the significant advantages of using Vietnam Airlines, and if you want to accumulate mileage, make sure to check and register related information in advance.
