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Merit -
Extraordinary
January - 2007 |
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4 Stars
& 5 Stripes
Overall - 'Service & Comfort' |
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The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and
Stripes® |
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| We flew 'Business' non-stop from Frankfurt, Germany to
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines. Our destination: The famous
Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. This was a first for us with Vietnam Airlines. As we approached the dedicated 'VA' check-in counter (presently still covered by Lufthansa) in Frankfurt's International Airport the attendant welcomed us graciously. Mr.Türkay was very knowledgeable and most accommodating and directed us to the Lufthansa business lounge, which simply cannot be compared with the luxurious lounge and service we experienced later when we departed from Ho Chi Minh City. |
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| On board, the 11-hour
non-stop flight experience was delightful considering that the individualized
entertainment system was unfortunately not functioning. This did not compromise
the well orchestrated, caring service, which we experienced from Ms. Ngvygn Thi
Giang Teang and her team. The airhostesses were conversing in charming
accentuated English and were well dressed in stylish native uniforms. I was
able to work on my lop-top and we both slept quite well for several hours in
the almost horizontal flat beds. Let me give you an example of the small things
that make service superior. VA is the first airline we have experienced where
the hostesses placed paper flowers (in addition to the fresh ones), they had
personally created on board, in a mouthwash glass and then drizzled them with a
couple of drops of Campari to give them the right color. I told my wife about
it and she couldn't wait for her turn to see them and smiled when she did.
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| Ms.
Ngvygn Thi Giang Teang & Thorsten Buehrmann |
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| When traveling overseas, many countries place
restrictions on what can we served. On-board cuisine should be mindful and
creative. While I was rather disappointed with my choice, my wife found her
shrimp over Asian noodle dish most delicious and it was served on pretty bone
china. As we approached Saigon, the clouds parted allowing us to see the
passage way to a fascinating new world; nothing else really mattered. Besides,
it was a perfectly executed landing maneuver by Captain Dad Manh Quanand his
assitant Boyan S. Stoynov. Saigon welcomed us with a glorious breathtaking
bright-red sunrise, celebrating our early morning arrival. |
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As we emerged from the airplane, tropical
temperatures demanded a quick mind shift. We clearly had left the winter
temperatures of the northwestern hemisphere behind. The landscape was now
dotted with palm trees all over. Within minutes a VIP bus picked us up and
brought the new arrivals to a large 'open door' arrival hall. We were guided to
the customs desk by a friendly officer who checked our travel visas and then
quickly allowed us to continue. At the same time, our luggage was delivered and
within less than half an hour from the moment we had landed we were welcomed by
our personal driver. |
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| “... the small things that make service superior.” ~
TB |
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by
Thorsten & Simone Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2007 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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