Tan Son Nhat Airport Survival Tips: How to Navigate Vietnam’s Busiest Airport

Before diving into logistics, here are a few quick facts to help you understand the airport layout:

Important: Both terminals share the same access road but are in separate buildings, about 500 meters apart. Make sure you know your terminal before arrival to avoid confusion.

Terminal 1 (T1) – Domestic Flights:

• Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Bamboo Airways
• Check-in: Ground floor
• Departures: Upper floor
• Crowded during holidays and weekends
• Coffee shops and SIM stalls available

Terminal 2 (T2) – International Flights:

• Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, etc.
• Arrivals: Ground floor
• Departures: Upper level
• Immigration, baggage claim, currency exchange, SIM cards in arrival hall
• More modern and better signage than T1

Tip: If you’re connecting from an international to a domestic flight, budget at least 2 hours between flights due to long queues and potential delays.v

Landing at SGN for the first time? Here's how to avoid rookie mistakes and get out of the terminal quickly:

Key arrival tips:

• Download Grab app before you arrive — it’s the easiest way to leave the airport
• Prepare your visa or eVisa ahead of time; immigration lines can take 20–40 minutes
• Avoid exchanging large sums at airport counters — rates are lower than in the city
• Ignore unofficial taxi offers inside the terminal
• Buy a SIM card immediately after customs if you don’t have one (see Section 6)

💡 If you’re arriving late (after 10:00 PM), pre-book a hotel transfer or sleep pod, as bus and SIM services may close early.

Read our Vietnam Visa on Arrival Guide if you’re unsure about your entry process.

Once you land at Terminal 2 (International), your first checkpoint will be immigration.

Immigration process:

• Head to the eVisa or Visa on Arrival (VOA) counters
• Present: Passport, visa approval letter (if VOA), entry form, and passport photo
• VOA fee: ~$25 (single-entry, 30 days) — cash only (USD or VND)

After clearing immigration, proceed to baggage claim, located on the same floor.

Baggage claim tips:

• Match your flight number with carousel screens
• Free luggage carts are available
• Keep your baggage tag — it will be checked before exiting

Red/Green channel:

• Use the green lane if you have nothing to declare
• Red lane required if carrying over USD $5,000 or electronics

Need help with VOA? Visit our Vietnam Visa Process Walkthrough.

Getting connected and having some local currency are your top priorities after customs. Fortunately, Tan Son Nhat Airport makes this simple.

SIM cards:

• Kiosks available right after immigration and near exits
• Providers: Viettel (best coverage), Vinaphone, Mobifone
• Tourist SIM: ~150,000–250,000 VND
• Includes: 7–15GB data, 30-day validity

💡 Tip: Ask the staff to insert and activate your SIM — most do it for free.

Currency exchange:

• Counters: Near baggage claim and arrivals
• Rates are fair for small exchanges (lower than banks in city)
• Exchange ~$50–100 for initial expenses (taxi, SIM, snacks)

ATMs:

• Located throughout arrivals hall (T1 & T2)
• International-friendly banks: Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank
• Max withdrawal: ~3,000,000–5,000,000 VND/transaction
• Fees: 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.25–2)

Need SIM help? Check our Vietnam SIM Card Comparison Guide.

Getting from SGN to central District 1 (Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien, Nguyen Hue) is fast and affordable — if you avoid common traps.

Option 1: Grab or ride-hailing apps

• Cost: 120,000–180,000 VND
• Wait time: 5–15 mins
• Pickup point: Exit terminal → follow signs for “Grab/Be pickup” zone
• Requires Vietnam SIM or Wi-Fi

Option 2: Official airport taxis

• Cost: 180,000–250,000 VND (includes tolls)
• Recommended companies: Mai Linh, Vinasun, Airport Taxi
• Fixed-fare booth available near exit for peace of mind

Option 3: Airport bus (Route 109 or 49)

• Cost: 20,000–40,000 VND
• Travel time: 45–60 minutes
• Drop-off: Central District 1
• Clean, A/C buses — ideal for solo travelers or backpackers

🚫 Avoid: Unmarked taxis, drivers who approach you inside the terminal, and rides without meters.

For a full comparison, see our SGN to Saigon City Transport Guide.

Taxi scams at Tan Son Nhat are common — but avoidable if you follow a few simple steps.

Common scams:

• Drivers pretending the meter is broken
• Quoting prices in dollars, then converting at unfair rates
• Taking longer “scenic routes” to inflate the fare
• Fake "Vinasun" or "Mai Linh" cars with copied logos

How to stay safe:

• Ignore any driver who approaches you inside the terminal
• Use only official taxi stand outside the terminal
• Ask for a fixed fare before entering or confirm the meter works
• Take a photo of the license plate or driver ID

💡 Safer alternative: Use Grab, Be, or hotel pickup services.

Want more safety tips? Read our Vietnam Travel Safety Checklist.

Ride-hailing apps are a safer, more affordable way to travel from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the city. However, they work a bit differently at the airport compared to the city center.

How to use Grab, Be, or Gojek:

1. Download the app (Grab is the most popular in Vietnam)
2. Connect to airport Wi-Fi or insert your Vietnamese SIM card
3. Set your pick-up location:

• T2 (International): Use Lane D near the arrival area
• T1 (Domestic): Use the “App-based Pickup Zone” at the parking lot

1. Choose your car type (bike, 4-seater, SUV, etc.)
2. Pay via app or cash when the ride ends

Price estimate to District 1:

• GrabCar: 120,000–180,000 VND
• BeCar: 100,000–160,000 VND
• Gojek: Limited availability at the airport

Tip: Avoid booking inside the terminal. Walk outside, get to the pickup zone, then request a ride.

More tips in our Ride-Hailing in Vietnam Guide.

For budget travelers or those not in a rush, public buses from Tan Son Nhat are a great way to reach central Saigon.

Airport Bus Options:

🟡 Bus 109 – Airport ↔ District 1

• Fare: 20,000 VND
• Travel time: ~45 minutes
• Stops: Cong Hoa, Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Bus Station
• A/C, clean, luggage space available

🟡 Bus 49 – Premium Airport Shuttle

• Fare: 40,000 VND
• Fewer stops, faster drop-off at key hotels in District 1
• Available from 5:30 AM to 1:00 AM

Where to catch the bus:

• Outside the terminal on the left side after exiting
• Look for yellow buses with clear signage

Tip: If you're traveling solo and light, Bus 49 is the best value-for-money option.

Want to compare all routes? Visit HCMC Public Bus Website.

Have a long layover at SGN? While the airport isn’t huge, there are still a few things you can do to pass the time.

For short layovers (2–4 hours):

• Grab a coffee at Highlands Coffee or Starbucks (both terminals)
• Use free Wi-Fi to catch up on emails
• Try local food at Big Bowl (pho) or Saigon Café
• Browse souvenir shops for quick gifts

For long layovers (5+ hours):

• Book a SleepPod (T2) or visit a nearby hotel with a day room
• Take a quick taxi to Gia Dinh Park (10 mins away)
• Visit Vincom Plaza or CGV Cinema (~15–20 mins by Grab)

Important: Be back at the airport 2 hours before departure to clear security and immigration smoothly.

Explore more options in our Vietnam Airport Layover Guide.

While Tan Son Nhat isn’t a luxury airport, you’ll find decent places to eat, rest, and even get work done.

Where to eat:

• Highlands Coffee – Local café chain with iced coffee & snacks
• Starbucks – Available in T2
• Big Bowl – Good pho and noodle soups
• Burger King – Quick Western option
• Pho24 – Authentic Vietnamese pho

Where to rest:

• VATC SleepPod (T2) – Hourly rental, quiet, A/C, private space
• Seating areas: Near domestic gate 10 and international gate 18
• Nearby hotels: Ibis Saigon Airport, My Villa Hotel Airport

Where to work:

• Free Wi-Fi available in both terminals
• Business lounges (access with Priority Pass or airline status)
• Charging stations near boarding gates
• Quiet corners at the far end of Terminal 2

Need help booking a SleepPod? Check our Guide to Sleeping at Vietnamese Airports.

Tan Son Nhat does not have a full-service luggage storage facility inside the terminal, but there are alternatives nearby.

Luggage storage options:

• ❌ No lockers inside T1 or T2
• ✅ Nearby solution:
• Ibis Saigon Airport Hotel (across the street from the terminal) offers short-term storage for non-guests
• Local luggage storage services like SendMyBag.vn offer pickup/drop-off near SGN

Lost and Found:

• 📍 Located at the Information Desk in each terminal
• Open daily from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Contact info:
• T2: +84 28 3848 5634 ext. 8811
• Email: info@vietnamairport.vn

Tip: Lost baggage claims are handled by your airline, not airport staff. Report immediately at your airline’s counter near the baggage claim area.

Leaving Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat? The departure process can get hectic — especially during weekends or peak travel months.

Departure tips:

• Arrive at the airport 2.5 to 3 hours before an international flight
• Check your terminal:
• Domestic (T1) or International (T2)
• Print your boarding pass or have it ready on your phone
• Security can take 30–45 minutes, especially evenings
• Immigration: Have passport, visa, and exit slip ready
• Gate changes are common — check screens regularly

Priority lanes:

• Business class and elite airline members have priority check-in
• Families with children often get moved ahead in long queues (case-by-case)

📌 Check-in counters usually open 2–3 hours before departure. Early? Grab a drink at Highlands Coffee upstairs.

Even experienced travelers make simple mistakes at Tan Son Nhat. Here’s how to dodge them.

🚫 Frequent mistakes:

• Going to the wrong terminal (T1 vs T2)
• Forgetting cash — many taxis and SIM vendors are cash-only
• Taking a fake taxi with inflated pricing
• Not printing visa documents for VOA
• Assuming airport Wi-Fi will always work smoothly

✅ How to avoid:

• Confirm terminal info from your airline before leaving your hotel
• Keep at least 300,000 VND in cash
• Use Grab or official taxi queue
• Download offline Google Maps + Vietnam travel apps ahead of time

Avoiding these mistakes saves you time, money, and a ton of stress.

More questions? Visit our Vietnam Airport FAQ Hub.

Before heading into the chaos of Saigon or preparing to board your flight, here’s a final checklist to keep you calm and ready:

✈️ Arrival Checklist

• ✅ Passport + printed visa/eVisa
• ✅ Local SIM card activated
• ✅ 300,000–500,000 VND in cash
• ✅ Grab or taxi booked from correct pickup zone
• ✅ Hotel address saved offline (in Vietnamese)

🛫 Departure Checklist

• ✅ Boarding pass + passport
• ✅ Terminal confirmed (T1 or T2)
• ✅ Bags checked and tagged
• ✅ Security + immigration done early
• ✅ Water, snacks, charger, and Wi-Fi ready for boarding gate

Bonus tip: Screenshot this checklist before your flight — you might not have Wi-Fi immediately.

Want help planning your trip after landing? Read our Saigon in 48 Hours Itinerary.