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 international locations on 15 totally different SkyTeam airways in an effort to find yourself with 1 million SAS EuroBonus miles.

My first week on the street took me from Portland to Seoul, South Korea, through Seattle, and on to Bali on a mix 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 obtained by way of safety, I proceeded to the Blue Sky Lounge. This could 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, nevertheless it was solely a two-hour hop aboard a Boeing 737, so it was not too uncomfortable, particularly as a result of the seats had respectable padding and seatback leisure displays. In line with Skytrax, Garuda Indonesia received the award for finest cabin crew final 12 months, and I can see why. On this brief haul to Soekarno-Hatta Worldwide Airport (CGK), the service was glorious, even in economic system, with a full meal and really nice interactions.

I used to be fairly stunned to obtain a sizzling breakfast in economic system class on such a brief flight. I suppose that is the frequent home U.S. flyer in me being stunned by higher service outdoors of the nation. It was not a restaurant-quality meal, however the omelet tasted recent and the sausage was respectable. I additionally appreciated the eco-friendly picket cutlery.

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

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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 large Grand Indonesia mall to kill a while. I am nonetheless amazed at how inexpensive getting round was. The Seize price me $8 for a 45-minute airport journey round-trip.

My day was going fairly easily till I returned to CGK and was checking in for my Vietnam Airlines flight. That is after I encountered a couple 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 might be resolved in three working days, however ultimately, it had not processed in time. Due to that, I used to be pressured to pay a hefty $370 payment to get an expedited emergency visa on arrival. It was simply my luck that my authentic visa was processed the morning after I obtained to Vietnam.

As soon as I obtained 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 person who 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 gadgets on supply and the air con didn’t appear to be working. Evidently, 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 spotted I had lucked out with an exit-row seat with further legroom.

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

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

Vietnam highlights

From bustling cities with motorbike-clogged streets to coasts and mountains full of lovely 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 submit workplace and the well-known Bui Vien strolling road that is common with backpackers.

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I stayed on the Le Meridien Saigon, which had an impressive 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 potential, 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 following 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 superb selection because the lodge had free laundry amenities and I had some garments piled up that wanted to be washed.

In Hanoi, I noticed temples, pagodas, the Previous Quarter and the well-known Hanoi Prepare Avenue, which was one thing to behold. The sheer variety of markets, cafes and road distributors promoting meals and different gadgets alongside the prepare tracks was astounding. I arrived early sufficient to get a seat at a restaurant so I might 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 might discover, plus what turned out to be a moderately scrumptious pizza at a restaurant known as Pizza 4ps.

General, I had a superb time in Vietnam.

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

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