Ho Chi Minh | Tan Son Nhat Airport Guide

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 Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The airport is just 7 km from the city center. 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 the T2 terminal has 4 storeys, serving millions of international passengers per year. You can easily walk from the international terminal to the domestic terminal in 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: Many domestic flights depart and arrive here every day. The domestic terminal’s layout is extremely simple, consisting of 2 floors.
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 before arrival to avoid any trouble. Click here to check! 

Terminal 2 - Tan Son Nhat Airport map

For tourists taking domestic flights from Tan Son Nhat Airport, please turn right after exiting to reach the domestic terminal. If your next flight is to Noi Bai Airport, read more about Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport.

2. Available services at Tan Son Nhat airport

You can use various 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 login screen, and you do not need a password to connect.

2.2. Information desk

The 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 it to 1414. Viettel, Vietnamobile, Vinaphone, and Mobifone are the most popular providers in Vietnam.

SIM kiosk

2.4. Money exchange

Banks and currency exchanges in Tan Son Nhat airport offer good exchange rates, although they may be a little bit lower in local jewelry shops. Currency exchanges are available at both the departure hall and the arrival hall of the international terminal. VietinBank is opposite the D2 entrance of the domestic terminal.

Currency exchange counter

ATMs in Ho Chi Minh Airport are operated by various banks, including Vietcombank, Vietinbank, BIDV, ANZ, CitiBank, Shinhan Bank, etc. In the international terminal, five machines are set near columns 14 and 3. In the domestic terminal, six machines are at the D2 entrance. You can 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 in the check-in hall. However, there are quite a few, so shopping in the city center will be better. You can get a VAT refund near gate 6-9 on the 2nd floor of the international terminal.

2.6. Restaurant

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

Fresh2go in Tan Son Nhat airport

2.7. Airport lounge

Single-visit passes and lounge memberships allow you to enter the airport lounge area. If you are not flying business class, you can pay at the door to enter any lounge. There are more than one lounge for you to choose from, all of which provide air conditioning, food and beverage, a conference facility, disabled access, flight information monitors, newspapers, television, and Wi-Fi. Normally, the price is USD 25/person for 3 hours for a 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 on the first floor of the 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 the domestic terminal, level 3 of the 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 columns 13 and 14 ground floor of the T2 terminal, opening 7 am – 11 pm. The price is VND 27.500/piece/hour for less than 10 hours, VND 275.000/piece for more than 24 hours

- Luggage packing
To protect your luggage, you can use this service at areas D2, A, and B, and near the elevator of the T1 terminal and gates D1 and D2 of the T2 terminal. The price ranges 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 the departure 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 the domestic terminal and near gates 6-9 of the 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. The price is USD 5 for one hour with a complimentary soft drink. Another is the Sleeping zone near gates 21- 24 on the second floor. The price is USD 7 for one hour for a sleep box equipped with pillows, drinks, towels, lamps, power outlets, etc. Sleep chair is free.

Sleep zone

- Family services (free) 
Children's 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.

- 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. The medical room is located near the D2 entrance at the domestic terminal, boarding gates 17-18 and A2 entrance gate at the international terminal.

3. How to transfer from Tan Son Nhat airport to the city center (District 1, 3) and vicinity

Transferring from Tan Son Nhat airport to the city center 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 at 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, GoViet application, Be application. 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 the 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 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 center. The bus is always crowded so keep an eye 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-conditioners.

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.webp

- 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. The 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, a 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.  >> Mui Ne & Vung Tau tours.

Check the price of Ho Chi Minh Airport pick-up to the 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 2024 - 2025:
Apr 18th, 2024: Hung Kings Commemorations
Apr 30th, 2024: Reunification Day
May 1st, 2024: International Labour Day
Sept 2nd, 2024: National Day
Jan 1st, 2025: New Year’s Day
Jan 25th – Jan 28th, 2025: Days before the Vietnamese New Year
Jan 29th – Feb 2nd, 2025: Vietnamese New Year

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 before arrival. To check the visa requirements for your nation, please click here!

See more:

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

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

>> Short excursions from Ho Chi Minh City