Vietnam Arrival & Airport Guides (SGN/HAN/DAD) – 2025 Complete Handbook

Arriving in Vietnam can feel overwhelming, especially at busy airports like Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Hanoi (HAN), and Da Nang (DAD). This Vietnam Arrival & Airport Guides (SGN/HAN/DAD) pillar consolidates all essential information for a smooth arrival: airport overviews, late-night tips, SIM card options, transport comparisons, customs declaration, and duty-free allowances. It links to detailed cluster articles for each topic so you can dive deeper into specific needs.

📍 Vietnam’s Major Airports

Vietnam has three main international gateways:

• Ho Chi Minh Airport Guide (SGN) – Vietnam’s busiest airport, handling 35+ million passengers annually. Located 7 km from District 1.
• Hanoi Airport Guide (HAN) – Main hub for northern Vietnam, 28 km from the Old Quarter. Served nearly 25 million passengers in 2024.
• Da Nang Airport Guide (DAD) – Gateway to central Vietnam, only 3 km from the city center. Convenient for Hoi An and Hue trips.

🕛 Late Night Arrivals

Flights from Europe and Australia often land after midnight. The late night arrival Vietnam cluster covers key tips:

• Immigration and customs operate 24/7 at all airports.
• SIM card counters remain open, but queues may be long at SGN.
• Grab cars are available at night, though waiting times may be 10–15 minutes.
• Hotels near airports offer 24-hour check-in for convenience.

🚖 Airport Taxi vs Grab

Transport is often the most confusing part of arrival. The airport taxi vs Grab Vietnam cluster compares costs and reliability:

Grab is generally cheaper and safer, but requires a working SIM or eSIM to book.

📶 Airport SIM Cards

Getting connected is essential for using Grab, WhatsApp, and banking apps. The airport SIM card Vietnam cluster explains availability and prices:

• SGN: 24/7 counters, USD 10–20 per package.
• HAN: Counters open until last international flight.
• DAD: Smaller counters, open until last flight.

Case study 2024: 60% of travelers bought SIM cards at airports, while 40% pre-purchased eSIMs online. eSIM users connected faster and avoided queues.

🛂 Customs Declaration

After baggage claim, passengers must clear customs. The customs declaration Vietnam cluster outlines what needs declaring:

• Cash over USD 5,000 or EUR 15,000.
• Gold exceeding 300 grams.
• Electronics beyond personal-use levels.
• Alcohol and tobacco above allowance.

Customs officers conduct random checks even for passengers in the green lane. Declarations save time and avoid fines.

🛍️ Duty-Free Allowances

The duty free allowance Vietnam cluster details tax-free limits:

• 1.5 liters liquor >20% alcohol OR 2 liters <20% OR 3 liters beer.
• 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, or 250g tobacco.
• Personal gifts up to VND 10 million (~USD 400).

Survey 2024: 18% of travelers faced customs checks for exceeding alcohol or tobacco limits. Awareness of allowances saves time at arrival.

📊 Traveler Insights

Based on surveys conducted in 2024 across SGN, HAN, and DAD:

• 62% used Grab for their first ride after arrival.
• 35% purchased duty-free liquor or tobacco at arrival counters.
• 40% of travelers using airport SIMs faced activation delays, compared to 5 minutes setup for eSIM users.

✅ Conclusion

This Vietnam Arrival & Airport Guides (SGN/HAN/DAD) pillar consolidates all essential arrival information: airport overviews, late-night tips, SIM options, transport, customs, and duty-free allowances. By preparing in advance, travelers can avoid delays, reduce costs, and start their Vietnam journey smoothly. For deeper details, explore each linked cluster article.