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Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Son Nhat International Airport (IATA code: SGN) is not only the largest air traffic hub in the country but also a familiar departure and arrival point for millions of passengers each year. With its bustling pace, increasingly modern facilities, and convenient central location, Tan Son Nhat truly is the important 'sky gateway' to Southern Vietnam.

An Airport Once Overcrowded… But Rapidly “Transforming” Every Day

Tan Son Nhat Airport was initially designed to serve around 30 million passengers per year. However, in 2023 alone, the actual number exceeded this threshold, reaching 41 million passengers, often leading to severe overcrowding. Despite this, it remains the 50th busiest airport in the world and the 4th busiest in Southeast Asia, a testament to SGN's irreplaceable central role.

To address the overcrowding and enhance the passenger experience, the airport has been undergoing a comprehensive upgrade, most notably with the brand-new Terminal T3.

Terminal T3 – An Infrastructure Breakthrough

Located next to the existing Terminal T1, Terminal T3 is a modern project that began construction in late 2022 with a total investment of nearly 11,000 billion VND. Covering an area of 112,500 m², this terminal can serve 20 million domestic passengers annually, significantly reducing pressure on T1.

T3 officially commenced operations on April 30, 2025, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South. Starting from May 2025, major airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways have moved most of their domestic flights to operate here.

The space within T3 is spacious and airy, featuring an automated check-in system, a modern security area, numerous shops, restaurants, and notably, a significantly less crowded and more comfortable feel compared to the old terminal.

Increasingly Convenient Connections

Not just within the airport, the surrounding infrastructure has also seen remarkable improvements. An elevated road has been built specifically for T3, helping to ease congestion in the airport area – a previous "nightmare" for many passengers.

Additionally, Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) is currently under construction and will connect directly to the airport in the near future, making travel even easier.

Easy to Get Anywhere, From Anywhere

Tan Son Nhat Airport serves a rich array of domestic and international flights. With over 50 airlines operating, passengers can fly to 87 domestic destinations and across Asia – Europe.

• Domestic: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, Vietravel Airlines, VASCO...

• International: Prominent airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, EVA Air, AirAsia, Cathay Pacific… are all present.

Full Amenities, Increasingly Better Services

You can easily find:

• Free Wi-Fi and drinking water throughout the airport.

• SIM/data kiosks right in the "Arrivals" area.

• Currency exchange counters, ATMs, convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart…).

• Diverse food court with a variety of Vietnamese and Western dishes.

• Duty-free area at the international terminal (T2).

• Luggage storage service in the "Arrivals" area at both T1 and T2 terminals.

• Lost luggage support room near the "Arrivals" hall at all terminals.

Additionally, there are premium lounges such as Lotus Lounge, Le Saigonnais, and Apricot Lounge, serving business class passengers or those who purchase lounge access tickets starting from just $19.

If you need to rest, you can choose hotels right near the airport like Ibis Saigon Airport (only 300m away), Park Royal, or First Hotel, all offering shuttle services.

Tan Son Nhat Airport Map

Visa & Immigration Procedures – Don't Forget to Prepare Early

If you are an international visitor arriving in Vietnam via Tan Son Nhat Airport, the first important thing is to ensure you have a valid visa.

Currently, Vietnam supports many flexible entry methods:

• E-visa (electronic visa): Issued to citizens of over 80 countries. Applications are entirely online, fast, and convenient. This is an ideal choice if you are flying directly to Ho Chi Minh City without needing complex paper visa procedures.

• Visa On Arrival (VOA): Only applicable if you have already obtained a visa approval letter in advance. If you don't have one, you cannot get a visa at the airport – use an e-visa for simplicity.

• Visa exemption: Vietnam grants visa exemptions to many Asian and European countries under bilateral policies. However, you should carefully check the permitted length of stay and eligible nationalities before flying.

You Might Need This!

Which passengers should use Fast Track?

• Passengers visiting Vietnam for the first time.

• Passengers needing assistance due to age or health reasons (pregnant women, the elderly, young children, people with reduced mobility, visually impaired, hearing impaired, communication difficulties, etc.).

• Passengers who prioritize convenience and want to complete airport procedures faster.

• Passengers traveling in groups who want to speed up and streamline their arrival and departure process.

• Companies welcoming international VIP guests on business trips to demonstrate professionalism, especially when combined with luxury car pick-up services.

Travel Tips

• Double-check your terminal (T1 or T3) before heading to the airport to avoid confusion.

• Arrive early: at least 90 minutes for domestic flights, and 2.5-3 hours for international flights.

• Ho Chi Minh City traffic can be quite congested, so plan to leave earlier than estimated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which terminal should I go to for domestic flights?

Depending on the airline and time, you might depart from T1 (the old terminal) or T3 (the new terminal). As of May 2025, most domestic flights by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways have been moved to T3. Always double-check your flight information before heading to the airport to avoid any mix-ups.

2. Can I walk between terminals?

• T1 ↔ T2 (domestic ↔ international): You can walk in about 5–7 minutes.

• T3 is farther away (~850m), so you should use the airport's shuttle service or call a taxi/ride-hailing service if you have a lot of luggage.

3. Is there Wi-Fi at Tan Son Nhat Airport?

Yes. The entire airport area has free Wi-Fi. Simply connect to the network "FreeWiFi TanSonNhat" and log in using your phone number.

4. Can I exchange money and buy a SIM card at the airport?

• Money exchange: Available at the arrivals area of T2 (international). Exchange rates are often better there than in the departure area.

• SIM/data: There are Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone kiosks right in the arrivals area. Alternatively, consider purchasing an eSIM with a large data allowance before landing.

5. How early should I arrive at the airport?

• Domestic: At least 90 minutes before scheduled departure.

• International: At least 2.5–3 hours before scheduled flight time.

Note: Always add extra travel time as Ho Chi Minh City frequently experiences traffic jams.

6. Are there any cheap and convenient public transport options from the airport to downtown Ho Chi Minh City?

There are two main bus routes:

• Bus #109: Goes directly to Ben Thanh Market (District 1) – convenient and reasonably priced.

• Bus #152: Cheaper, suitable for budget travelers.

You can also use Grab, Be, or Xanh SM (electric car) to hail a ride. If you're traveling with family, a large group, have a lot of luggage, or simply want privacy, comfort, and flexibility, you can consider private car services for airport pick-up or drop-off. You can find more information about this service here.

7. Is there a place to sleep at the airport?

You can temporarily rest at the airport, especially for early morning flights. However, seating is limited. Consider hotels near the airport like Ibis Saigon Airport (300m away, with shuttle service), or hotels such as Park Royal and First Hotel.

8. What lounges are available at the airport? Can I access them if I'm not flying business class?

At Tan Son Nhat Airport, there are several comfortable lounges serving both domestic and international passengers, not exclusively reserved for business class travelers. The good news is that you can absolutely use a lounge even if you're not flying business class, by booking a lounge pass through our service.

Lounges at Tan Son Nhat include:

• Terminal T1 (old domestic, still operating): Le Saigonnais Lounge - Level 1, near departure gate 12.

• Terminal T3 (new domestic, operating from 2025): The SENS Business Lounge - Level 4, spacious and modern.

• Terminal T2 (international): Two options:

• Apricot Lounge - Level 1.

• Jasmine Halal Lounge - Level 2, near departure gate 17.

For international flights at T2, we will arrange the most suitable lounge depending on the booking time, to ensure an optimal experience for customers.