Paris CDG to Hanoi Vietnam Airlines Business Class Airbus A350 VN18 [Flight Review]

We fly Vietnam Airlines! This is our Business class experience from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Hanoi Noi Bai international. We would transit in Hanoi before heading back to Singapore – VN18 followed by VN661.

VN18 is scheduled to depart Paris CDG at 1310hrs and arrive in Hanoi at 0610hrs. There was a 6 hour time zone difference between Paris and Hanoi.

Vietnam Airlines uses Terminal 2E at Paris CDG. The night before the flight, we stayed for one night at the Hilton at Paris CDG, which was an interesting experience. On the morning of the flight, we made our way to Terminal 2E via the Paris CDG internal airport shuttle (called CDGVAL). I made a video to show you how to walk from the Hilton to the Paris CDGVAL (which has 5 stops).

Paris CDG was very crowded that morning and it took us a while to check in and clear immigration and security. We spent some time at the Air France Lounge (Terminal 2E M Gates) before boarding the Vietnam Airlines aircraft. Please do watch my video of the Air France lounge.

By the time we got to gate M50, the flight was already boarding. We boarded via the Sky Priority. Interesting that there were a couple of French Police personnel asking random passengers questions, including our family. We were questioned as to what we were doing in Paris, and how much cash we were carrying. Perhaps the authorities were looking for some people, not sure. Thankfully they let us pass after listening to our trip history.

We have flown with Vietnam Airlines several times now and this was again a very good flight. Business class cabin was full. Lunch was served shortly after takeoff. The catering and wines were all good.

As it was a day flight, I couldn’t really sleep much. Breakfast was served about 2 hours before landing. I chose the beef udon option, which was dry noodles. Quite tasty.

We landed safely in Hanoi, in good time for our connecting flight VN661 to Singapore –
Turned out that VN661 was more exciting for us.