Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) Guide, Facilities & Hotels, Cafes and Restaurants

Introduction

When you are traveling to and from the Ho Chi Minh City Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.

Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.

A Brief Overview of Ho Chi Minh City Airport in Vietnam

Situated in the north Saigon district of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, lies its largest airport, known as the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. It is also popularly called Ho Chi Minh City Airport by the natives of the region. The airport was named after their spiritual leader Ho Chi Minh, who was also a Vietnamese Communist during that era. However, the natives of the region did not totally accept changing the name of Saigon (also known as District 1) to Ho Chi Minh, so the old name still prevails here. Only the airport has been given a new name in the memory of their leader.

Over the years, the city of Ho Chi Minh has become a popular holiday destination for tourists around the world.

IATA: SGN

Address: Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Contact: +84 83 848 5383

Website: https://www.hochiminhcityairport.com

Operation Hours: Ho Chi Minh City Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain food concessions and car rental services may not offer their services 24 hours. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may also vary with the flight schedule. Hence, it is advised that you check with the airport.

Terminals at Ho Chi Minh City Airport

Ho Chi Minh City Airport or Tan Son Nhat International Airport has two terminals, called Domestic Terminal 1 and International Terminal 2. The Arrivals terminal consists of a tourist help desk, post office, and foreign currency exchange. The departures terminal of the airport, on the other hand, restaurants, duty-free shopping, and a medical center have air conditioning. You will find the airport staff to be friendly in assisting you.

Parking Options at Ho Chi Minh City Airport

Ho Chi Minh City Airport provides travelers with convenient parking options.

Airlines Served by Ho Chi Minh City Airport

HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Vietnam serves many domestic, international, and cargo airlines. Airlines served by the airport include Aeroflot, Air China, Air France, AirAsia, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Bangkok Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Dragon, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Chongqing Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Hong Kong Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jeju Air, Jetstar Pacific, Korean Air, Lao Airlines, LOT, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Mandarin Airlines, Nok Air, Philippines Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, T’Way Air, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Air.

Facilities and Services Available at Ho Chi Minh City Airport

Ho Chi Minh City Airport or Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Vietnam offers various amenities to passengers that make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport has a range of stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi internet access, business services, and more.

Security Check-points of Airport

The airport authority security checks at the airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security checks.

Help Desk

When you are at the HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport and need help, there are information desks to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport.

There are help desks that can be found at various locations in the Ho Chi Minh City Airport. The staff offers assistance in both Vietnamese and English languages. In the Domestic Terminal building, you can find them at Check-in, opposite C and D Island. They are open from 5 am until 8 pm. Also, in the International Terminal building, you can find them in the Main Hall (open from 7:30 am until 12 am), the Check-in area opposite C and D Island (open from 7:30 am until 12 am), and the Lounge area Gate 10-14. (open from 7:30 am until 12 am).

Wi-Fi and Mobile Charging Outlets

Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout terminals at the airport, in case you need to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet.

In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your phone’s battery. In the domestic terminal, the airport authority gives you the Free mobile phone charging stations building at the D1 entrance, and it is located opposite Vietnam Airline’s self-check-in kiosk, Vietjet Air waiting area, opposite Gates 16-17, 1st Floor, opposite security screening check area and 1st Floor waiting area, opposite Gates 10-11 and 11-12.

Baggage Handling and Storage

Baggage Trolleys:
Baggage trolleys are available at Ho Chi Minh City Airport. However, you cannot take them past security, nonetheless, the airport does provide smaller trolleys at Airside.

Baggage Wrapping:
Baggage wrapping facility is available at various locations for a service fee of VND 80.000 (USD $3.4) to 100.000 (USD $4.2), depending on the size of the baggage. You can avail of the facility at the Domestic Terminal, near the D2 entrance, opposite the check-in area rows A and B, and the escalator of departures area, and also at the International Terminal, near the D1 and D2 entrances.

Luggage Storage and Lockers:
There are also facilities for luggage storage and lockers that are located in the International Arrivals Terminal, ground floor, near columns 13 and 14. They are open 24 hours. The rate charged under 10 hours is VND 27,500 (USD $1.18)/piece per hour and over 10 hours is VND 275,000 (USD $11.8)/per piece per day.

Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.

Lounge and Business Conference Rooms

 The Features of paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or via lounge membership programs HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport provides premium lounges that you can use.

Orchid Lounge:
The lounge is located in the International Terminal building, Airside, 2nd Floor, near Gate 9. Access to the lounge is via pay at the door ($30 USD for 3 hours), pre-paid lounge passes, and lounge membership programs.

Lotus Lounge 1:
The lounge is located in the Domestic Terminal building, Airside, 1st Floor, near Gate 7. It can be accessed via pay at the door (VND 350,000 or USD $17 for 3 hours).

Lotus Lounge 2:
The lounge is located in the International Terminal building, Airside, 3rd Floor. Showers are available. Access to the lounge is via pay at the door (USD $30 for 3 hours).

Shops and Duty-Free Stores

You will find many stores throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items – from children’s toys to fashion accessories. You can also buy books, magazines, etc., to help pass time.

Duty-Free:
There is Duty-Free available at the airport. However, they may not be open 24 hours. VAT Refund is located in Terminal 2, Airside, 2nd Floor, near Gates 6-9. The opening time is from 8 am until 10 pm. There are also a small number of other shops available throughout the airport.

Cafe, Bar, and Restaurants

Finding fast food options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at the Tampa International Airport. These fast-food restaurants are located throughout the terminals and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.

The Food concessions open schedule-wise throughout the airport operations. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside. There are several food courts at the airport.

Other Amenities at Ho Chi Minh City Airport

Medical Services:

Medical facilities at Ho Chi Minh Airport are available 24 hours. These are located in the Domestic Terminal building’s Lobby, near the D2 entrance Taxi service counters.

There are also emergency hotline contact numbers (08) 38 485 383 3307 and (08) 38 485 383 3408.

Children’s Play Area:

There is a children’s play area located in the International Terminal building, Airside, near Gates 26 and 27. The children’s play area offers a foam carpet, a playhouse, games, and more.

Post Office:

There is a post office which is located beside the D2 entrance of the Domestic terminal or via the TIA Information Counters both at the International and Domestic Terminals. If you want to send letters and postcards to friends and family, you can send them from the airport via the information desk.

ATM:

The ATMs machine is located at the HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATM if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. ATMs are operated by Vietinbank, HSBC, Agribank, MB Bank, Shinhan Bank, ANZ, Eximbank, Vietcombank, Commonwealth Bank, Citibank, and BIDV. 

• The Domestic terminal of the Airport:
  Inside the airport, there are six ATMs located on the ground floor, opposite the D2 entrance, Departure Hall, and another seven ATMs on the ground floor, opposite the D2 entrance.
• The International terminal of the Airport:
  Inside the airport, there are 13 ATMs located behind the D1 and D2 entrances and in the Departures Hall.

Currency Exchange:

The currency used in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), where $1 US is equivalent to 23, 321 dongs. The currency exchange counters can be found at various locations in the International Terminal building, Airside, near Gates 17 and 18, Landside, opposite check-in area row D, Departures Hall, on the left outside the Immigration counters at Arrivals Hall and Lobby platform of Arrivals Hall.

Bank:

VietinBank offers banking services at HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport which is located at Domestic Terminal, opposite the D2 entrance.

Hotels on-site and nearby Ho Chi Minh City Airport

Finding accommodations at the HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport or nearby should not be a problem for you as there are several hotels out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find comfortable places to stay during your visit to Vietnam.

A few hotels that are located not very far from the HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport are:

Hotel Ibis Saigon Airport:
This on-site hotel is located within just walking distance. It offers a comfortable stay their rooms are equipped with a 42-inch LCD TV, large safe, fridge, free Wi-Fi, and rain shower. The hotel also offers a convenient place for business travelers to hold business meetings during their visit to the city.

Marine Line Hotel:
This Marine Line Hotel hotel is located in the Tay Ba Lo quarter, distance is 950 meters from the city center and just a 5-minute walk away from Ben Thanh Market. It provides amenities, like a business center, free Wi-Fi, laundry, currency exchange, bicycle, car rental, and paid airport shuttle services.

Caroline Hotel:
The hotel is located about 2.9 km (1.8 miles) from the city center in District 10. It provides amenities, like 24-hour room service and front desk, seating area, restaurant, breakfast, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, AC, desk, electric teapot, and hot tub.

OYO 701 Avatar 2 Hotel:
The hotel is located about 3.9 km (2.4 miles) from the city center in Ho Chi Minh city. It provides amenities, like 24-hour room service and front desk, AC, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, private bathroom, and paid private parking.

Transport Options To and From Ho Chi Minh City Airport

There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.

Airport/Hotel Shuttle Service

Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to the hotel and/or airport. A free shuttle bus provides travelers with easy connectivity.

Shuttle Bus 49 services route International Terminal, Domestic Terminal, Hoang Van Thu, Nguyen Van Troi, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Le Duan, Dong Khoi, Hai Ba Trung, Ham Nghi, and Ben Thanh Market. It operates from 5:15 am until 2 am. The waiting time for the shuttle can be a minimum of 30 minutes. The shuttle bus fees are among VND 40,000 (USD $1.72). Shuttle buses also provide pick-up and drop-off to passengers at hotels in Districts 1 and 3.

The Airport Bus Service.

Bus 152 services route International Terminal, Domestic Terminal, Hoang Van Thu, Nguyen Van Troi, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ben Thanh Market, Tran Hung Dao, and Trung Son Residential Area. It operates from 5:45 am until 18:15 pm. Waiting time can be 10-20 minutes. The bus fare is VND 6,000 (USD $0.26).

Bus 109 services route International Terminal, Domestic Terminal, Hoang Van Thu, Nguyen Van Troi, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ham Nghi, Ben Thanh Market, Pham Ngu Lao, and 23/9 Park. It operates from 5:45 am until 1:30 am. The waiting time for the shuttle can be a minimum of 30 minutes. The bus fare is VND 12,000 (USD $0.52) for routes less than 5 km (3.1 miles) and VND 20,000 (USD $0.86) for routes beyond 5 km.

Train Service

There are no train services available to and from HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Taxi Service

At Ho Chi Minh City Airport, taxi stands can be found at both terminals. The main taxi queue is located on the left exit on the ground floor of the International Terminal building, whereas another taxi queue is located in the Domestic terminal. These are metered taxis and will take you from the airport to your destination.

At the Domestic terminal, a taxi company known as Sasco has the airport taxi concession and is the only provider allowed to pick up passengers directly adjacent to the building. Their vehicles are the first you will see as you exit the terminal.

Car Hire/Rental Service

There are several car rental companies that provide cars-to-hire services to travelers on-site. These companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Sixt.

Conclusion

When going to the HCMC Tan Son Nhat International Airport, specify clearly which terminal you prefer to go to. International flights leave from the International terminal T2 (go straight) and domestic flights (to Danang, Hanoi, Nha Trang, and so on) leave from Domestic terminal T1 (turn left).

If you get dropped off at the wrong terminal, then you will have to dash to the correct terminal through a pedestrian walkway link that is about 600 meters away. This is not recommended, especially if you are already late for boarding your flight.

When getting into the airport, taxi drivers will add an airport entry rate of VND 10,000 (USD $0.43) to your total metered fare. This is not to be confused with the airport departure tax, which should have been included in the price of your airline ticket.