Ho Chi Minh airport is known as Tan Son Nhat International airport which is a gateway to many places in Vietnam. The airport is situated near the city centre, allowing you to approach many well-known spots in the city like Ben Thanh market, Independence Palace,... 

Ho Chi Minh airport Overview

Official name: Tan Son Nhat International Airport 

Location: Truong Sa Street, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Airport code Saigon airport Vietnam:

• IATA (International Air Transport Association) code: SGN
• ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) code: VVTS

Tan Son Nhat airport is located in Saigon, belongs to Truong Son Street, Tan Son Hoa Ward (formerly Tan Binh District), Ho Chi Minh City. This is the largest and biggest airport in Vietnam, and is about 7km away from the city centre. 

Ho Chi Minh airport has a vital role in development for economic, cultural, tourism and the ideal place for flights from other countries to Vietnam. The airport operates 24/7 with a hundred number of flights each day. 

Tan Son Nhat International airport

There are two terminals at Tan Son Nhat airport such as an international terminal with a total area of 92.000 m2 and a domestic terminal spanning 40.048m2. 

Saigon airport has many areas including check-in counters, baggage conveyor belts, and customs inspection.

History of Tan Son Nhat airport 

Tan Son Nhat Airport was built by the French in 1930, with a red-soil runway stretching 1,400 meters in length. The airport welcomed its first flight from Paris in 1933.

Tan Son Nhat airport was constructed by the architects in 1930 with the length of a runway stretching 1400m. In 1933, the first flight came to Saigon airport from Paris. 

Then, the US Army expanded the runway more than 3000m with the purpose of the Second Indochina War in 1956. Before 1975, Ho Chi Minh airport served for the US and South Vietnam Air Force until the government of Vietnam was taken in May 1975. 

The airport covers an area of 1500ha with 02 runways and 20 taxiways. Nowadays,  Saigon airport welcomes more 15 million domestic passengers and 13 million international passengers on 6 domestic and 40 international airlines annually. 

Check in at Tan Son Nhat airport

In 2015, the government decided to sign Decision No. 3193/QD-BGTVT to adjust the planning of the airport with renovating and expanding terminals for passenger and cargo. 

The new domestic terminal ( T3) was built in 2025 and became operational on April 30 to improve service for domestic flight. Today, some carriers such as Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet,... moved into T3 to operate and serve to increase passenger flow. 

Tan Son Nhat International airport is the largest airport in Vietnam, is a gateway of commerce for Ho Chi Minh city. 

The facilities in Saigon airport

Ho Chi Minh airport features modern equipment with cutting edge technology in the country. The runways have lengths of 3.048m and 3.800m. On the apron, there are taxiways, parking stands, and CAT II with 82 parking positions 

The domestic terminal severs more than 13 million passengers each year with 

• 111 check-in counters, 
• 01 transfer counter, 
• 01 oversized baggage counter, 
• 19 boarding gates, 
• 04 passenger boarding bridges, 
• 06 arrival baggage conveyors, 
• 06 departure baggage conveyors,

Meanwhile, the international terminal welcomed more than 10 million passengers per year with 

• 80 check-in counters, 
• 01 transfer counter, 
• 12 boarding gates, 
• 08 passenger boarding bridges, 
• 06 arrival baggage conveyors, 
• 04 departure baggage conveyors, 
• 18 emigration counters, 
• 20 immigration counters, 
• 02 departure customs inspection machines
• 06 arrival customs inspection machines.

Services

Tan Son Nhat airport offers the best service to meet the needs of tourists. There are several medical rooms in Tan Son Nhat airport. In the case of emergencies, you can call the hotline at (08) 38 485 383 – 3408 and about 5-7 minutes for a timely rescue. 

If you feel hungry, you can visit the dining area with various foods such as banh mi, pizzas, fried chicken,... 

Pho Vietnam restaurant in Saigon airport

Many duty free shops in Ho Chi Minh airport offer a range of goods from clothes, gifts, toys, groceries... Especially the airport lounges in Ho Chi  Minh for VIPs and CIPs with comfortable spaces and dining services. There are 02 Tan Son Nhat airport lounges at the domestic terminal and 6 airport lounges at the international terminal.

Besides, you can use free wifi at Tan Son Nhat airport with water, information desks and lost & found counters. 

How to transfer from Ho Chi Minh airport to the city centre?

There are many ways to get fromTan Son Nhat international airport to the city centre such as taxi, private car, shuttle bus. You can see public taxis outside the terminals with the price about 150-200.000 VND. 

If you want to save money, you can take a bus. The bus from Saigon airport to Ben Thanh market is about 20.000 VND. 

However, the best choice is to rent a private car from Ho Chi Minh airport to the city centre. You don't have to wait any time. Our driver will wait for you at the airport with a welcome board. You don't scare ripped off prices.

Ho Chi Minh airport is a vital airport to connect both domestic and international travelers to Vietnam. This airport provides modern facilities, efficient services, brings a seamless journey. 

>>> See more: Free and Share Wifi Networks At Tan Son Nhat Airport Vietnam