Review: Rose CIP Lounge, Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City airport (SGN) has relatively limited lounge options for travellers, and most, if not all, the lounges in the international terminal are non-airline, independently run operations. Access to these lounges is either by airline invitations or lounge pass memberships. On a recent trip from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), I had the opportunity to fly Malindo Air business class and, with an extension, a chance to visit the Rose CIP Lounge.

Lounge invite – Malindo Air

Rose CIP Lounge

The lounge is located near gate 9 in the international terminal and is open 24/7. My understanding is that the lounge is exclusively for passengers with airline invitations. Priority Pass and other lounge pass members can access the Orchid Lounge, located across from security, near gates 10-14.

Rose CIP Lounge – Entrance

Airlines that use Rose CIP Lounge

The entrance to the lounge is peculiar, and you enter an unassuming hallway that leads to a set of stairs or elevators that you take down to the welcome desk.

Rose CIP Lounge – Welcome Desk

The lounge is bright with natural light and offers excellent runway views. The eclectic decor of the lounge immediately caught my attention as I walked past the food stations. The several seating options included booths, couches and cushioned chairs.

View from the staircase.

The long stretches of live wall along one side and fresh orchid plants (not just flowers in a vase) were a treat to the weary eyes and made me feel rejuvenated.

Live wall and Orchid arrangements

Looking towards the main entrance, the coffee station was on the left, and the bar and food were on the right.

The tall lamp/lighting fixtures with spread-out seating and plenty of natural light were welcoming and offered good views of the gates and the runway. Large screen TVs mounted on each big pillar and across the walls allowed passengers to catch up with world news and sports.

WiFi codes are available at each table

WiFi codes were printed and placed on each table; connecting was easy, and the speeds were sufficient for audio/video calling and streaming shows online. Mind you, the lounge was not busy, which may have much to do with my share of the bandwidth.

Window seating – Rose CIP Lounge

The business centre was underwhelming and very basic. It offered a chair and a table with dividers that made for a tight squeeze. And Not every station had power outlets.

Business Centre

Drinks and Food

Now, to the real reason I visit lounges ;). I was impressed with the well-stocked beer fridge and other non-alcoholic Pepsi products.

CHEERS! Saigon Special, Sagota, 333 (Local brews)

Plenty of wine was also on offer, but I was all too happy with chilled beers in hand.

Not Beer 😉

The food on offer was a good array of traditional to continental. DIY Pho, shrimp and veg rolls, quiche and meat cuts lined the food table.

Pho station and other warm food selections

Fresh Fruits and Cold food section

Last but not least, the lounge staff was hot and courteous. They also did an incredible job maintaining the lounge’s impeccable, clean, and refined look.

Take Away

My two hours in Rose CIP Lounge were comfortable and exceeded expectations. The design and decor, with the beautiful live wall and orchid plants, were the highlights of my stay. WiFi was great, and so were the Pho and other food offerings. There were no shower rooms, but this lounge is a solid 4/5 in comfort, decor and basic amenities.