Flight review: Inside Vietnam Airlines' 'budget' business class

Flight: Vietnam Airlines flight VN773

Frequency and duration: Daily; eight hours and 30 minutes

Class and price: Business; return flights from about $4500

Explore more: vietnamairlines.com

It's a Sunday night departure on Vietnam Airlines flight VN773 from Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney, and I'm settling into business class for an overnighter. While this route is usually serviced by the airline's flagship Airbus A350, tonight's flight is aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The first south-east Asian carrier to join SkyTeam Alliance, Vietnam Airlines now operates 23 flights a week between Australia and Vietnam. With a 9.05pm departure, I'm curious to see how this service stacks up and, more importantly, if I can settle in for a decent night's kip.

CHECKING IN: The business-class check-in is efficiently streamlined. I request a window seat and get 2A. The luggage allowance is 32kg for checked baggage and 18kg for carry-on (two pieces, up to 10kg each, plus one personal item). Within minutes, I have my boarding pass and am fast-tracked through immigration and security, then into the Lotus Lounge, where high-speed Wi-Fi and a tofu pho is an excellent start to the journey.

THE FLIGHT: As a night flight, the true measure of this experience rests on achieving deep, restorative sleep to arrive feeling refreshed. We depart promptly at 9.05pm and touch down precisely on schedule at 9.50am. While I'm no stranger to finding faults when flying, this journey exceeds expectations.

THE CLASS: The 1-2-1 cabin layout is elegant, with soft neutral tones; detail like a lotus flower emblem on the seat coverings caught my eye. Slippers, blanket and pillow are waiting. The seat offers a 42-inch pitch and lies completely flat, and the 15-inch monitor is perfect for viewing without needing my glasses. Thoughtful touches like a reading light, control panel and charging ports make for a smooth in-flight experience.

FOOD & DRINKS: Dinner followed by breakfast before landing suits me perfectly and the tray table, set with a white tablecloth and silverware, signals I am in for a treat. Vietnam Airlines' "dining amid the clouds" offers a menu choice of lamb rack, Vietnamese stir-fried beef, duck breast and salmon fillet, and a full bar. I choose the beef with steamed rice and vegetables, which is fresh and flavourful. Breakfast features tropical fruits, yogurt and strong coffee, with heartier options available.

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ENTERTAINMENT: The Heritage inflight magazine and comfortable noise-cancelling headphones enhance the diverse entertainment, which includes classic and latest Hollywood movies, documentary and music shows, video games, and access to thousands of global publications via the Press Reader app. While binge-watching through the night is tempting, my priority is achieving sleep.

THE SERVICE: After dinner, I take my personal care pouch to freshen up, equipped with a bamboo toothbrush, moisturiser, lip balm and comb. Returning to my seat, I find it prepped for sleep - blanket and pillow perfectly arranged in what feels like a mini turndown service. The cabin crew are discreet yet attentive. Donning my eye mask and earplugs, I recline the seat to a flat bed and drift into restful sleep.

IN A NUTSHELL: Vietnam Airlines' business class delivers exceptional value, comfort and quality without straining the budget too much. I arrived in Sydney feeling refreshed, nourished and ready for a full workday.

The writer flew courtesy of Vietnam Airlines.