Round-the-world SAS EuroBonus challenge part 2: Bali to Vietnam

I am doing the SAS EuroBonus million-mile challenge. In complete, the problem will encompass me touring for 25 days on 18 flights and visiting 15 totally different nations on 15 totally different SkyTeam airways with a view to find yourself with 1 million SAS EuroBonus miles.

My first week on the street took me from Portland to Seoul, South Korea, by way of Seattle, and on to Bali on a mixture of carriers together with Delta, Korean Air and Garuda Indonesia.

After a number of blissful (if wet) days in Bali, it was time to take to the skies once more. This is the place I went subsequent and what I have been as much as.

Finally, the doorways opened and after I bought by way of safety, I proceeded to the Blue Sky Lounge. This may be one of many best Priority Pass lounges I’ve visited, with a full barista-manned espresso bar and even a chocolate fountain. There was additionally a large unfold of small bites and different drinks.

Sadly, I used to be caught with a center seat on my flight, but it surely was solely a two-hour hop aboard a Boeing 737, so it was not too uncomfortable, particularly as a result of the seats had first rate padding and seatback leisure screens. In response to Skytrax, Garuda Indonesia gained the award for finest cabin crew final 12 months, and I can see why. On this quick haul to Soekarno-Hatta Worldwide Airport (CGK), the service was glorious, even in financial system, with a full meal and really nice interactions.

I used to be fairly shocked to obtain a sizzling breakfast in financial system class on such a brief flight. I assume that is the frequent home U.S. flyer in me being shocked by higher service exterior of the nation. It was not a restaurant-quality meal, however the omelet tasted contemporary and the sausage was first rate. I additionally appreciated the eco-friendly picket cutlery.

The one draw back of this flight was the shortage of Wi-Fi, although because it was so quick, that wasn’t a problem for me.

After I landed in Jakarta, I had about six and a half hours to fill, so I caught a Seize (a ride-hailing service that you could find all through a lot of Asia) and headed to the big Grand Indonesia mall to kill a while. I am nonetheless amazed at how reasonably priced getting round was. The Seize price me $8 for a 45-minute airport trip round-trip.

My day was going fairly easily till I returned to CGK and was checking in for my Vietnam Airlines flight. That is once I encountered a number of snafus.

My visa for Vietnam had not been processed initially as a result of there was an error, and it wanted some revisions. I had submitted the revisions in time and was advised it will be resolved in three working days, however in the long run, it had not processed in time. Due to that, I used to be compelled to pay a hefty $370 price to get an expedited emergency visa on arrival. It was simply my luck that my unique visa was processed the morning after I bought to Vietnam.

As soon as I bought that sorted out, I requested the Vietnam Airways check-in agent so as to add my SAS EuroBonus quantity to my ticket, and so they advised me I used to be the eleventh individual that day asking so as to add that. I’m actually hoping that there are some TPG readers on the market chasing these million miles together with me.

After clearing safety and immigration, I went to the Plaza Premium lounge, the place there weren’t many meals and beverage objects on supply and the air-con didn’t appear to be working. For sure, I didn’t linger.

As soon as I boarded the Vietnam Airways Airbus A321 that might be taking me to Tan Son Nhat Worldwide Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, I noticed I had lucked out with an exit-row seat with additional legroom.

Throughout this flight, there was one other full meal service with the selection between a hen or beef dish. I opted for the meat, whose sauce was flavorful, however the meat itself was very powerful.

Like my earlier Garuda flight, there was no Wi-Fi on this one, however that was nice because the flight time was lower than three hours.

Vietnam highlights

From bustling cities with motorbike-clogged streets to coasts and mountains full of gorgeous surroundings, I want I had 5 weeks and never 5 days to discover Vietnam. I’m undoubtedly going to return.

For this journey, I began in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, which was teeming with preholiday exercise. I spent a pair days exploring its numerous neighborhoods and wandered by way of temples, its imposing central put up workplace and the well-known Bui Vien strolling avenue that is common with backpackers.

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I stayed on the Le Meridien Saigon, which had an excellent breakfast buffet and was a stable worth at round $130 or 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.

After all, I ate native Vietnamese delicacies across the metropolis as a lot as doable, from steamy pho to crusty banh mi sandwiches to ultrafresh goi cuon (summer time rolls). It was all scrumptious.

After two days in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, I took a fast two-hour shuttle flight to Noi Bai Worldwide Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, the place I spent the subsequent three days.

I stayed on the Hilton Backyard Inn in Hanoi, the place I paid $260 complete for 3 nights. This proved to be a wonderful alternative because the resort had free laundry services and I had some garments piled up that wanted to be washed.

In Hanoi, I noticed temples, pagodas, the Outdated Quarter and the well-known Hanoi Prepare Road, which was one thing to behold. The sheer variety of markets, cafes and avenue distributors promoting meals and different objects alongside the prepare tracks was astounding. I arrived early sufficient to get a seat at a restaurant so I may watch because the prepare chugged by inside arm’s attain of the place I sat. It was exhilarating.

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And identical to I had in Ho Chin Minh Metropolis, I attempted nearly each native dish I may discover, plus what turned out to be a quite scrumptious pizza at a restaurant known as Pizza 4ps.

Total, I had a wonderful time in Vietnam.

After I return, I wish to attempt doing the Ha Giang Loop, a well-known four-day motorbike route within the northern mountains, and hit the seashores of Da Nang on the central coast.

I additionally liked how reasonably priced my go to was. My Seize rides averaged lower than $1.50 every and my meals, even at sit-down eating places, have been sometimes under $4. Finances and mid-tier vacationers can simply get by on $40-$70 per day with out sacrificing something in regards to the expertise. Fortunately in all places I went accepted bank cards, so I used to be capable of pay with my important journey card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and earn valuable points alongside the best way.