Cancelled Vietnam Airlines flights leaves Perth residents missing out on Christmas holidays

West Australians planning to get away for Christmas were left stranded when their flights were cancelled not twice earlier this week.

A Vietnam Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City was due to fly out in the early hours of Sunday morning when it was cancelled just before take-off due to a technical issue.

Perth resident Chloe George, who was planning on spending Christmas on a cruise in Vietnam, said she was told to return to the airport at 11am on Sunday but received a text to say the flight would be at 6pm, then another to say it was at 8pm.

“Everyone went back to the airport on Sunday evening but half an hour before boarding they told everyone it was cancelled again,” she said.

There was a long line for customer services as people tried to work out if they could get on another flight or get a refund.

Ms George said she was still trying to work out if she could get a refund from the airline.

“We decided not to try for a third time as the cancellations impacted our ongoing itinerary, which included a cruise on Ha Long Bay and an overnight sleeper train,” she said.

“We have saved and planned for this Christmas and New Year’s trip for eight months.

“We are really sad but know safety of aircraft comes first — it’s just the lack of empathy from Vietnam Airlines that is disappointing.

“A cancelled flight once is disappointing but two flights in a row is just ridiculous. I have no idea why they got everyone to go back and check in again the following day if the aircraft hadn’t been fixed.”

Vietnam Airlines has been contacted for comment.