Ho Chi Minh | Tan Son Nhat Airport Guide (2023)

Ho Chi Minh City airport is officially named Tan Son Nhat International airport (TIA) (aviation code: SGN). This is the largest airport in Southern Vietnam and the busiest one in Southeast Asia, connecting many countries in the area and internationally. Located on Truong Son, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The airport is just 7 km to the city centre. It has 2 operating terminals: T1 Domestic Terminal and T2 International Terminal connected by the public hall on the ground floor.

1. Domestic terminal and international terminal

Tan Son Nhat International airport has two main terminals: T1 (domestic terminal) and T2 (international terminal). The T1 terminal has 2 storeys while T2 terminal has 4 storeys serving millions of international passenger per year. You can easily walk from the international terminal to the domestic terminalin less than 5 minutes. Some airlines or travel agencies offer a shuttle for passengers who have connecting flights between MEL/SYD/KUL/SIN and HAN, and vice versa.

T1 – Domestic terminal:A lot of domestic flights depart from and arriving here every day. Consisting of 2 floors, the domestic terminal’s layout is extremely simple to move through.
The ground floor: Domestic arrival hall and baggage claim
The first floor: Domestic departure hall

T2 – International terminal:This terminal was constructed with four floors and is much newer than the domestic one. The four floors of the international terminal are busy around the clock.

The ground floor: International arrival hall, connecting counter & baggage claim and exit
The first floor: International arrival hall, immigration area, landing visa counter
The third floor: Departure terminal, check in counters
The fourth floor: Cafés, restaurants and entertainment

Arrival hall - Tan Son Nhat airport

Upon arrival, you will go through these areas: arrival gate – landing visa counter (if required) – immigration area – ground floor – baggage claim – arrival hall. The total time needed for this procedure is less than 20 minutes without the visa step and up to one hour with the visa step. Check if you need a Vietnam visa prior to arrival to avoid any troubles. Click here to check!

Terminal 2 - Tan Son Nhat airport map

Tourists taking domestic flights fromTan Son Nhat airportplease turn right after exiting to reach the domestic terminal. If your next flight is to Noi Bai airport, click here to read the Hanoi Noi Bai International airport guide.

2. Available services at Tan Son Nhat airport

You can use a varied array of Tan Son Nhat airport services to ensure a more comfortable airport experience.

2.1. Internet (free)

Accessing the airport Wi-Fi “FreeWifi TanSonNhat Airport” or “TSN Free Wifi Express” is free at both domestic and international terminals, however, sometimes the Wifi system disconnects. You will need to open your browser to log in. It is just a log in screen and you do not need a password to connect.

2.2. Information desk

Airport information desk provides all aviation information you may need in English and Vietnamese. If you need instant support contact them opposite C, D gate (T1 terminal); arrival hall, counter opposite C, D gate and waiting lounge (T2 terminal). Brochures and city maps are complimentary.

2.3. SIM cards

Vietnamese SIM cards can be easily purchased near the exit of the airport terminal. One should cost you from USD 9 – 13. You need to show your passport to register a tourist SIM, which you can then check if it is working by texting ‘TTTB’ then sending to 1414.Viettel, Vietnamobile, Vinaphone and Mobifone are the most popular providers in Vietnam.

SIM kiosk

2.4. Money exchange

Banks and currency exchange in Tan Son Nhat airport offer good exchange rates, although you may find it a little bit lower in local jewellery shops. You can find currency exchanges at both the departure hall and the arrival hall of the international terminal. VietinBank is opposite D2 entrance of the domestic terminal.

Currency exchange counter

ATMs in Ho Chi Minh airport are operated by various banks Vietcombank, Vietinbank, BIDV, ANZ, CitiBank, Shinhan Bank, etc. In the international terminal there are five machines set near column 14 and column 3. In the domestic terminal there are six machines at the D2 entrance. Check the current Vietnam bank exchange rate by clicking Vietcombank or VietinBank.

2.5. Shopping

Duty free shops are scattered inside the security area and on the check-in hall. However, the number of shop is quite few so do shopping at city centre will be better. You can get VAT refund at near gate 6-9 on the 2nd floor of international terminal.

2.6. Restaurant

Airport food courts in Tan Son Nhat serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals in Vietnamese style and western style. You can find them in both terminal. Restaurants stay open till 11 pm.

Fresh2go in Tan Son Nhat airport

2.7. Airport lounge

Both single visit passes and lounge memberships allow you to enter the airport lounge area. If you are not flying business class then you can pay at the door to enter any lounge. There is more than one lounge for you to choose from, all of which provide air-conditioner, food and beverage, conference facility, disabled access, flight information monitors, newspapers, television and Wi-Fi. Normally the price is from USD 25/person for 3 hours for single pass and different membership plans. None has a sleeping facility.

Apricot Lounge and Lotus Lounge in the international terminal have modern showers.

- Le Saigonnais Business Lounge:
Location: in front of gate 11 domestic lounge, next to Lotus Lounge
Open time: 04:30 am - 11:00 am

- Apricot Lounge:
Location: midway between boarding gates at the first floor of international lounge
Open time: 06:00 am – 02:00 am

- Orchid Lounge Lounge:
Location: near gate 10- 14, 2nd floor of international terminal
Open time: 06:00 am – 02:00 am

- Lotus Lounge:
Location: level 1 of domestic terminal, level 3 of international terminal
Open time: 06:00 am – 00:00 am

Orchid Lounge

2.8. Other services

- Luggage storage

You can have airport staff keep your luggage while you are moving around. Contact the counter at column 13, 14 ground floor of T2 terminal, opening 7am – 11pm. The price is VND 27.500/piece/hour for less than 10 hours, VND 275.000/piece for less than 24 hours

- Luggage packing

To protect your luggage, you can use this service at the area D2, A, B and near the elevator of T1 terminal; gate D1, D2 of T2 terminal. The price range from VND 80.000 – 100.000 (USD4 – 5) depending on the baggage size.

- Smoking rooms

In public areas, smoking is prohibited. You can use the smoking room opposite gate 14 in thedeparture hall, domestic terminal or opposite gate 15 – 18 departure hall, international area.

- Showers and spa

Besides the fully serviced shower of the business lounge, you can find a free airport shower opposite gate 25 in the international terminal. Massage is opposite gate 10 of domestic terminal and near gate 6-9 of international terminal.

- Rest zone

For those who are waiting to board you can relax at the Relaxing zone near gate 6-9 on the 2nd floor. Price is USD 5 for one hour with a complimentary soft drink. Another is the Sleeping zone near gate 21- 24 on the second floor. The price is USD 7 for one hour for a sleep box equipped with pillows, drink, towels, lamps, power outlets, etc. Sleep chair is free.

Sleep chair zone

- Family services (free)

Children entertainment is set up near gate 21 – 22 departure hall T2 terminal; this service is free for children and families. The area covers 40m2 and provides a safe soft ground, LEGOs, slides, clay etc.

- Drinking water (free)

Everyone can find free drinking water near gates 5, 10 and 16 in the departure hall of the domestic airport; gate 15, 16 and 18 in the departure hall of the international airport; gates 1 and 6 in the arrival hall

- Mobile charging (free)

If you left your charger in the checked baggage, don’t worry as there are free mobile charging stations near the check-in kiosk of the domestic terminal and opposite gates: 10 – 11, 11 – 12, 16 – 17.

- Medical services

Fully-staffed medical services at the airport function 24/24. Contact the hotline (08) 38 485 383 for any emergency case. Medical room is located near D2 entrance at the domestic terminal, boarding gate 17-18 and A2 entrance gate at international terminal.

3. How to transfer from Tan Son Nhat airport to city centre(district 1, 3) and vicinity

Transferring from Tan Son Nhat airport to the city centre does not take much time as it’s just 7 km away. For those who have an early flight or transit time in Saigon airport, staying at an airport hotel or a downtown hotel is convenient and possible to get back to the airport quickly if needed. From the airport terminal you can take one of these transportation services all with reasonable prices.

Map: Tan Son Nhat airport to District 1

3.1. Car booking application

Utilizing your smartphone connected to the airport’s free Wi-Fi, you can book a car via a booking platform like the Grab application, GoVietapplication, Beapplication. Grab, similar to Uber, is a cross Asian company blooming in Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, etc. The final price shown before your confirmation usually goes from VND 110,000 – VND 250,000 (USD5 – 11), depending on the traffic demand. You will need to walk to the outside lane to get picked up. Take note of the license plate number on the app as most drivers cannot speak English.

>> Download Grab application here.

Grab car in the city

3.2. Airport taxi

Taxis in Ho Chi Minh city will cost you around VND200,000 (USD9) for the distance from the airport to district 1. The airport taxi drivers can charge you on a fixed price or calculate on the meter. Always ask before getting in the car and use trusted companies like Mai Linh Taxi: 028 3838 3838; Noi Bai taxi: 028 3842 4242; Saigon Taxi 028 3823 2323.

3.3. Motorcycle taxi

Motorcycle is the most popular transportation in Vietnam. It is cheaper, faster and way more fun than a car. To catch one, you need to walk outside to the airport parking. This will cost you just USD 3 – 4 dollars and even cheaper if you book via the Grab application. However if you travel with lots of baggage this will not be suitable.

3.4. Airport bus

An economical choice but the buses will take you 2 – 3 times longer to transfer to the city centre. The bus is always crowded so keep eyes on your luggage always. You can ask the driver to drop you near your address as sometimes they skip a station if no one asks to get off. Local buses usually pick up outside the terminal. Look for these bus numbers (152, 109, 49, 119), they are all equipped with air-conditioner.

Airport bus station - Tan Son Nhat airport

- Bus No. 152:
Fare: VND 5,000
Frequency: 12 – 18 minutes
Route: T2 Terminal – T1 terminal – Truong Son – Tran Quoc Hoan – Hoang Van Thu – Nguyen Van Troi – Nam Ki Khoi Nghia – Nguyen Dinh Chieu – Cach Mang Thang Tam - Le Lai – Ben Thanh – Tran Hung Dao – Nguyen Van Cu – 9A – Trung Son resident area and vice versa

- Bus No. 109:
Fare: VND 12,000 – 20,000
Frequency: 15 – 30 minutes
Route: T2 Terminal – T1 terminal – Truong Son – Tran Quoc Hoan – Hoang Van Thu – Nguyen Van Troi – Nam Ki Khoi Nghia – Ham Nghi – Cong Truong Quach Thi Trang – Pham Ngu Lao – Park 23/9 and vice versa

- Bus No. 119:
Fare: VND 12,000 – 20,000
Frequency: 15 – 30 minutes
Route: T2 Terminal – T1 terminal – Truong Son – Tran Quoc Hoan – Lang Cha Ca – Hoang Van Thu – Xuan Dieu- Xuan Hong – Truong Trinh – Ly Thuong Kiet – Bac Hai – Thanh Thai – Nguyen Tri Phuong – Nguyen Chi Thanh – Nguyen Thi Nho – Hong Bang – Kinh Duong Vuong – Mien Tay depot and vice versa
https://izitour.com/media/ckeditor/bus-to-ho-chi-minh-center.png

- Bus No. 49:
Fare: VND 40,000
Frequency: 20 – 30 minutes
Route: Column 12 at T2 Terminal – Column 18 at T1 terminal – Truong Son – Tran Quoc Hoan – Hoang Van Thu – Nguyen Van Troi – Nam Ki Khoi Nghia – Le Duan – Cong Xa Paris – Dong Khoi – Dong Du – Hai Ba Trung – Ton Duc Thang – Ham Nghi – Ben Thanh – Pham Ngu Lao – Nguyen Trai – Le Lai – Nguyen Thi Nghia – Cach Mang Thang Tam – Dien Bien Phu – Nam ki Khoi Nghia – Nguyen Van Troi – Phan Dinh Giot – Truong Son – T2 Terminal

Shuttle bus No. 49 drops off passengers at some hotel lobbies (Park Royal Hotel, Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Vissai Saigon Hotel), stop a while at Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Opera House to take photos.

Airport bus number 49

3.5. Private car

Last but not least if you are looking for a hassle free pick up then a private car booked in advance will assure it. This service is provided by a travel agent or an online transportation service. Driver will be waiting for you at the arrival hall with your name on a card. He is happy to assist you with your luggage and transfer you to your hotel. The price is reasonable, around USD20/group for a 7 seat car.

Above all, private car is the most convenient transportation option. You are escorted with door-to-door service. Further a private car can be rented if you want to transfer directly to the best southern beaches in Vietnam like Mui Ne or Phan Thiet. Click hereto view some Mui Ne, Vung Tau tours.

Check priceHo Chi Minh Airport pick up to city or vice versa by private car

Note: On national holidays in Vietnam, except for Tết (Vietnamese New Year), Vietnamese people like to travel domestically so the streets are always crowded. The taxi fare may be a little bit higher and unfortunately you may face difficulties with the lack of transportation. It is recommended to depart to the airport earlier on these days. If possible, book an airport pick-up in advance.

Vietnamese public holidays 2023 - 2024:
Apr 29th, 2023: Hung Kings Commemorations
Apr 30th, 2023: Reunification Day
May 1st, 2023: International Labour Day
Sept 2nd, 2023: National Day
Jan 1st, 2024: New Year’s Day
Feb 5th – Feb 9th, 2024: Days before Vietnamese New Year
Feb 10th – Feb 14th, 2024: Vietnamese New Year

>>Read more:Vietnam trip: What to see? When to go? How to arrange itinerary?

Tan Son Nhat airport a.k.a. Ho Chi Minh airport is an extremely busy airport but we hope with this guidance you will have the best experience of moving and going through immigration. The traffic in Vietnam is quite complex, so choose the most credited transportation for your arrival transfer. Again, please check if you require a Vietnam visa prior to arrival. To check the visa requirement for your nation,please click here!

>>Check All-inclusive Vietnam package tours with the real time price

>>Check the short excursions to Ho Chi Minh and Mekong Delta with the real time price