All things you need to know about Ho Chi Minh airport (Tan Son Nhat airport)

Ho Chi Minh City Airport officially known as Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the main airport serving for the civil aviation of Ho Chi Minh City and as well as the rest of southeastern Vietnam. Thanks to its convenient location on the air routes with high volume of passenger of the East - West and North - South of the region, this airport is considered as the gateway from Ho Chi Minh City to other destinations of the world. In addition, Ho Chi Minh Airport is an ideal transfer and transit hub of the air route network from the rest of Asia and Europe. That’s the reason why Ho Chi Minh Airport becomes the busiest airport in Vietnam. After the extensive innovation in 2009, Ho Chi Minh Airport becomes the largest airport in Vietnam in term of the area.
Ho Chi Minh Airport serves for both civil and military aviation. Being a government owned corporation, Ho Chi Minh Airport is under the control of Southern Airports Corporation (SAC). The IATA code of Ho Chi Minh Airport is SGN derived from the city's former name of Saigon.

I. How to get to Ho Chi Minh airport from center city

Ho Chi Minh Airport is located 6 kilometers to the North of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Thanks to the short distance, there are several ways of traveling to this airport.

1. Traveling to Ho Chi Minh airport (SGN airport) by bus

No need to say taking a bus is the cheapest way to travel to Ho Chi Minh Airport. At present, there are 4 bus routes connecting the center city to the airport including No.152, No.109, No.119, and No. 159

You can check the detail of the bus route and bus timetable here. To choose the bust most suitable for you, you can open Google Map and add your departure location.

2. Traveling to Ho Chi Minh airport by taxi

No matter where you stay in Saigon and no matter when you want to come to Ho Chi Minh Airport, you can travel by taxi. You can visit the front desk of your hotel and ask the receptionists to book a taxi for you. Alternatively, you can book a taxi easily by using an app called Grab. Grab is a app providing safe, convenient, and inexpensive taxi service like Uber dose but more common in Vietnam. You can download Grab here. Take it into consideration that the prices are often much higher in case of bad weather condition.

3. Traveling to Ho Chi Minh airport by motor-taxi

If you don’t have a lot of luggage, especially when traveling alone, taking a motor-taxi is a way to go. Motor-taxi is very popular; therefore, you can take a motor-taxi easily at every corner of Saigon.  Don’t forget to balance before starting your trip. The reasonable price for first 2 kilometers is VND 12,000/kilometer. From the third kilometer, it only costs you VND 3,800/kilometer. It’s better for you to use the app Grab which provide both motor-taxi and taxi service.

4. Travel to Ho Chi Minh airport by private car

Another convenient way to travel to Ho Chi Minh Airport is taking a private car. Here are some reliable car rental services in Saigon:

Saigon Private Car

Address: Room No.503, the 5^th Floor, No. 607-609 Nguyen Kiem Street, Ward 09, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (+84) 902-689- 426

Mobile:  (+84) 902-689-426 (Viber , Whatsapp, Line, Wechat, Zalo)

Email: info@saigonprivatecar.com or saigonprivatecar@gmail.com

Website: saigonprivatecar.com

Vietnam Budget Car Rental

Address: No. 117 -119 Ly Chinh Thang Street, District 03, Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam

Tel 01: (+84) 838-48-6868

Tel 02: (+84) 988-038-301 (WhatsApp,Viber)

Email: support@vietnamtrustcarrental.com

Website: vietnambudgetcarrental.com 

Take it into consideration that the maximum time for parking in front of the airport is 3 minute. If you need more time, you should drive to the parking lot. The location of parking depends on the airline you choose:

• Vietnam Airlines: the parking lot in front of Gate D1
• Jetstar, Vasco: the parking lot in front of Gate D2
• Vietjet Air: the parking lot in front of Gate D3

II. How to get to the center city from Ho Chi Minh airport

1. Travel from Ho Chi Minh airport to center city by bus

If you don’t have a lot luggage and want to save money, taking a bus is the greatest choice for you. At present, there are 4 buses running from the International Terminal, passing the Domestic Terminal of Ho Chi Minh Airport to the center city including Bus No.49, No. 152, No.109, and No.119

2. Travel from Ho Chi Minh airport to center city by taxi

We highly recommend you to use the taxi service of Vinasun and Mai Linh Company because they’re considered the best taxi operators in Saigon.

T3. Ho Chi Minh airport transfer to the center city by shuttle bus

In case of bringing with a lot of luggage, you can choose to transfer by shuttle bus. Thanks to the high quality of the car and professional service, shuttle bus is also the greatest choice for those people who want to travel straightly to other destinations instead of staying in Saigon. The driver will pick you up at the airport and drive you to the destination you want such as Hoi An, Can Tho, Nha Trang and Mui Ne. You can connect with the following company to book a shuttle bus:

Hoi An Express

Address: No. 32 Tien Giang Street, Ward 02, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

 Tel: (+84) 908-039-699

 (+84) 28-354-70-787 | (+84) 28-35-470-785

Email: info@hoianexpress.com.vn

Website: hoianexpress.com.vn 

Hue Private Car

Address: No. 67 Vo Thi Sau Street, Hue City, Vietnam

Tel: (+84) 234-393-1747

Hotline: (+84) 917-126- 661 

Email: hueprivatecars@gmail.com

Website: hueprivatecars.com

III. Ho Chi Minh airport's terminal & facilities

Ho Chi Minh Airport consists of 2 parallel runways. The runway No. 07L/25R is 3,048 meters long, 45 meters wide, and the runway No. 07R/25L is 3,800 meters in length and 45 meters in width. With 10 air-bridges (6 ones more than the domestic terminal’s), the international terminal is capable of handling wide-body airplanes including Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-200/300, Airbus A340-300/500/600, Boeing 767, Airbus A330, Boeing 787, and Airbus A380.

1. The international terminal - Ho Chi Minh airport

Being officially opened in 2007, the International Terminal of Ho Chi Minh Airport covered an area of around 93, 228 meter square. Thanks to being installed with modern facilities and advanced aviation technology, the International Airport now has the total capacity of 15 million passengers per year. There are two distinct areas for departures and arrivals. In addition, the International Terminal comprises of 11 passenger baggage arrival carousels, 8 airport conveyors, 12 boarding gates, 1 automatic flight announcement system, 18 elevators, 20 escalators, 18 immigration passport control counters,  43 airport scanners, 01 transfer passenger counter,  20 migration passport control counters, 02 departure customs screening machines, and 06 arrival customs screening machines.

There are also a lot of restaurants, convenient stores, currency exchange booths in the international terminals. Together with these modern facilities, the terminal regularly enhance its service quality and provide new types of premium service to keep up with the dramatic increase in the air traffic in recent years.

2. The domestic terminal - Ho Chi Minh airport

After the inauguration of the new terminal in 2007, the entire old international terminal was turned into the domestic terminal. With the total area of 40,048 m², the domestic terminal is capable of serve for 2,100 passengers in the rush hour and 13 million passengers per years. The domestic terminal consists of 111 check-in counter, 01 transfer passenger counter, 1 excess baggage counter, 19 boarding bridges, 4 baggage scanners, 4 magnetic gates, 6 arrival conveyer belt, 6 departure conveyer belt, 9 airport security gates, 2 elevators, and 10 handy metal detectors.

It also takes you around 10 minutes to move from the domestic terminal to the international one; therefore, you won’t meet much difficulty in case of having to transit in Ho Chi Minh City Airport.

IV. Convenient services of Ho Chi Minh airport

To meet the requirement of the passenger, Ho Chi Minh Airport now provides a wide range of convenient services as follows:

1.  Banking services & ATMs at Ho Chi Minh airport

The banking service provided by Vietinbank is opposite to D2 Gate of the domestic terminal. Besides, there are 6 ATM machines located on the first floor and opposite to the D2 Gate of the domestic terminal, 04 ATM machines near the column No.14 and 03 ATM machines at the column No, 03 on the ground floor of the international terminal.

2. Health service at Ho Chi Minh airport

All of the clinic at Ho Chi Minh Airport open 24/24 every single day to serve for the passengers.

• The clinic in the domestic terminal: on the hall between the arrival terminal and departure terminal, next to the D2 Gate
• The clinic in the departure international terminal: near the departure gate No.18
• The clinic in the arrival international terminal: on the ground floor, near the gate No.02
• The clinic in the gate no.17: on the ground floor, next to the gate no.17

3. Baggage storage service at Ho Chi Minh airport

There are two counters providing baggage storage service near the column no. 13 and no.14 on the ground floor of the international terminal. This service is only available from the 07:00 to 23:00 every day.

4. Playground at Ho Chi Minh airport

The playgrounds for children are located on the second floor, near the quarantine zone of the international terminal.

5. Baggage packaging service at Ho Chi Minh airport

In the domestic terminal, there are three baggage packaging counters located one by one near the D2 gate, next to the escalator leading to the departure gate, and opposite to the check-in counter A&B. The international terminal has two counters. The first one is near the entrance of D1 gate and the other is next to the D2 Gate.

6. Currency exchange booths at Ho Chi Minh airport

If you want to exchange money in the international terminal, there are for booths for you as follows:

• The 1^st currency exchange booth: near the gate No. 17
•  
• The 2^nd currency exchange booth: opposite to the chain of check-in counter D of the departure terminal
•  
• The 3^rd currency exchange booth: behind the customs of the arrival terminal
• The 4^th currency exchange booth: near the arrival hall of international terminal

7. Free wifi at Ho Chi Minh airport

Ho Chi Minh Airport provides its passenger with free high-speed wi-fi service which is available 24/24. The wi-fi system at Ho Chi Minh airport consisting of 60 wi-fi transmission booths is capable of serving for 2,400 users at the same time. Each wi-fi transmission booth has the 100-meter radius. You can connect with the TSN Free Wi-fi Express

8. Free battery & charger service at Ho Chi Minh airport

In addition to many convenient services mentioned above, Ho Chi Minh Airports also has free battery and charger services which are available all day long. You can get free battery charger at:

• Near the D1 gate, opposite to the automatic check-in counter of Vietnam Airline
• Near the waiting room of Vietjet Air, opposite to departure gate No.16-17
• On the first floor, near the security gate
• On the first floor, near the waiting room, opposite to the departure gate no. 10-11

V. Flight status & transit at Ho Chi Minh airport

At present, there are three domestic airlines operating at Ho Chi Minh Airport including Vietnam Airline, Vietjet Air, and Jetstar Pacific Airline. You can check the flight status of Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN Airport) at:

(SGN Arrivals) Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrivals

(SGN Departures) Ho Chi Minh Airport Departures

To book a ticket, you can visit the website of the airlines as follows:

• Vietnam Airline: www.vietnamairlines.com
• VietJet Air: www.vietjetair.com
• Jetstar Pacific: www.jetstar.com

Or else, at the website of some online travel agency such as:

• Skyscanner: www.skyscanner.com.vn
• Avia Vietnam: avia.vn

Now, there are 45 international airlines operating at Ho Chi Minh Airport, 6 ones of which including LOT Polish Airlines operating seasonally.

Busiest international flights Out of Ho Chi Minh

International Airport by Frequency

VI. Top hotels near Ho Chi Minh airport (SGN airport)

1. Hotel IBIS Saigon airport 

Due to the convenient location at 02 Hong Ha Street, it takes you only 6 minutes walking to Hotel Ibis Saigon Airport. This mediocre hotel offers you a nice and comfortable accommodation.  Hotel Ibis Saigon Airport consists of:

• Standard Room (18 m²) equipped with 1 Queen size bed or 2 Single beds
• Family Room  (26 m²) equipped with 1 Queen size bed and 1 Bunk bed
• Studio Room (36m²) equipped with Queen or King size bed (36m²)
• Apartment (54 m²)  with 1 Bedroom
• Apartment (72 m²) with 2 Bedrooms

Every room in Hotel Ibis Saigon Airport features a 42-inch LCD TV, a refrigerator, a bath shower and free wi-fi. In addition, there are 5 meeting rooms with the total capacity of up to 217 people.

Contact Information:

Address: No.02 Hong Ha Street, Ward 02, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (+84) 283-848-5556

Fax: (+84) 283-848-5558

Email: H9468-RE1@accor.com

Website: www.ibis.com

Price: VND 1,135,000 – VND 2,300,000

 

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2. Saigon airport hotel 

Thanks to its convenient location together with professional staff, Saigon Airport hotel is another good choice for you. Saigon Airport Hotel provides you with 3 types of rooms at a very reasonable price as follows:

• Twin Room with 2 single beds: from VND 569,000
• Standard Double Room with 1 large double bed: from VND 569,000
• Deluxe Double Room with double bed: VND 614,000

All rooms have a balcony together with garden view. Every room at Saigon Airport Hotel is equipped with air-conditioner and free wi-fi.

Contact Information

Address: No.136 Yen The Street, Ward 02, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (+84) 909-716-371

Hotline: (+84) 83-547-2345

Email: email@email.com

Price: VND 569,000 – VND 614,000

 

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3. Blue Sky Serviced Apartment Saigon Airport Plaza

Bluesky Serviced Apartment Airport Plaza is located 10 minutes driving from Ho Chi Minh Aiport. With 84 well-equipped rooms, this hotel is a great choice for you. Each room has a cable TV, free wi-fi, a dining area, a trouser press and 1 bath room. In addition, Bluesky Apartment Hotel features some kitchens, each of which has a microwave, an electric kettle, coffee/tea makers, a fridge and a stove. This hotel also comprise of an outdoor swimming pool, a spa center, a Jacuzzi, and a sauna center which can help you relax and cool down after a long flight.

Contact Information:

Address: No. 01 Bach Dang Street, Ward 02 Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (+84) 283-848-9358

 Price: from VND 1,158,000

 

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4. Christina's Saigon - Sunshine Song Day Apartment

Christina's Saigon - Sunshine Song Day Apartment is located only 10 minutes driving from Ho Chi Minh Airport and 5 minutes driving to the shopping center. This hotel receives a lot of complements from its guests such as “very clean and well-maintained”, “friendly, helpful and professional staff”, “looks very nice and cozy”, and “really comfortable accommodation”.  Christina's Saigon - Sunshine Song Day Apartment allows you to check-in late at night; therefore, you don’t have to worry about late flights or delayed flights. This hotel boasts a well-equipped fitness center and a kitchen with modern facilities allowing you to prepare nice dishes for yourself. Christina's Saigon - Sunshine Song Day Apartment consist of:

• Ground Floor Apartment (35 m²)  with 1 doubled bed
• Studio Apartment (35 m²)  with 1 doubled bed
• Studio Apartment (55 m²)  with 2 bedrooms: the first bedroom has 1 doubled bed, and the other bedroom has 1 single bed
• Apartment (40 m² ) with Balcony and 1 double bed
• Deluxe Apartment

Each room has 1 private bathroom, 1 flat-screen TV, free-wifi, and an air-conditioner.

Contact Information

Address: No.13 Song Day, Tan Binh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (+84) 91-649-7289

 

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VII. Food & Restaurant near Ho Chi Minh airport (SGN airport)

1. Con Ga Trong restaurant - Khmer style restaurant

Con Ga Trong Restaurant is the one and only restaurant which has the Khmer style – one of Vietnamese ethnic minority. With the total area of 2500m², this restaurant reminds the guests of an ancient Vietnamese village with bamboo, ancient brick wall, and clay jar. When visiting Con Ga Trong Restaurant, you’ll have a chance of enjoying a wide range of special traditional dishes which represent strongly the culture of Khmer ethnic minority. To enhance the flavors, the foods here are seasoned with unique condiment and many types of herbs including garlic, chili, turmeric, lemongrass, and galangal.

Address: No.01 Tien Giang Street, Ward 02, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (+84) 862-634-634

Website: quancongatrong.com

Price: VND 100,000 – VND 300,000

Open Hours: 10:00 – 23:00

2.  The Chef Mama's restaurant - The best Pizza in town

Located only 1 kilometer from Ho Chi Minh Airport, the Chef Mama’s Restaurant is the favorite restaurant of both domestic and foreign customers. The Chef Mama’s Restaurant is the place where you can find the best Italian pizza in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to pizza, there is a wide range of delicious bread, pasta and soup, and salad.

Address: No. A43 Truong Son Street, Ward 04, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (+84) 838-486-478

Open hours: 08:00 – 22:00

Price: VND 50,000 – VND 110,000

3. 37 Street restaurant - Home to Vietnamese speciality

37 Street Restaurant is home to more than 300 Vietnamese traditional eats.  Visiting this restaurant, you can have chances of enjoying a lot of Vietnamese specialty such as Vietnamese spring rolls, La Vong grilled fish, pan-fried scrambled egg rice cake, Hanoi beef rice noodle, crab rice noodles, and sweet and sour fish soup.

Address: B1 Floor, Domestic Terminal, SGN Airport, Ward 02, Tan Binh District

Price: VND 50,000 – VND 200,000

Open Hours: 08:00 – 22:00