Ho Chi Minh Airport Guide (SGN) – Complete 2025 Handbook for Travelers

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City is the busiest airport in Vietnam, welcoming more than 35 million passengers in 2024. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, arriving at SGN can feel overwhelming. This Ho Chi Minh Airport Guide (SGN) provides practical information about immigration, customs, duty-free shopping, SIM cards, transport, and late-night arrivals. It also connects to the main Vietnam Arrival & Airport Guides (SGN/HAN/DAD) pillar for a full nationwide overview.

📍 Location & Terminals

SGN is located only 7 km north of District 1, the city’s downtown. Travel time varies between 20 and 40 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The airport has two terminals:

• T1 (Domestic): For flights within Vietnam, mainly served by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways.
• T2 (International): For inbound and outbound international flights.

Because of limited space and high passenger numbers, Tan Son Nhat often feels crowded. Long Thanh International Airport, 40 km away, is under construction and expected to start operations after 2026.

🛂 Immigration Process

After landing at SGN, passengers proceed to immigration counters. Depending on your nationality, you may need an e-visa, visa on arrival, or exemption.

• E-Visa: Available for citizens of over 80 countries. It allows single or multiple entry up to 90 days.
• Visa on Arrival: Requires an approval letter obtained before traveling. Processing at the counter may take 20–40 minutes.
• Exemptions: Citizens of ASEAN and some European countries enjoy visa-free stays of 15–30 days.

Peak arrival times are between 6 PM and 11 PM, when multiple long-haul flights land. Expect immigration queues of 30–45 minutes during these hours.

🛄 Customs Declaration

After immigration and baggage claim, travelers go through customs. Vietnam applies a two-lane system:

• Green channel: For passengers with nothing to declare.
• Red channel: For passengers declaring goods or exceeding duty-free limits.

You must declare if carrying:

• Cash over USD 5,000 or equivalent.
• Foreign currency over EUR 15,000.
• Gold exceeding 300g.
• Electronics and luxury goods above personal-use value.

Failing to declare may result in fines. More information can be found in the customs section of the main arrival guide.

🛍️ Duty-Free Shopping

SGN has duty-free shops selling alcohol, cigarettes, perfume, and cosmetics. The duty-free allowance includes:

• 1.5 liters of liquor (>20% alcohol), or 2 liters (<20% alcohol), or 3 liters of beer.
• 200 cigarettes, or 20 cigars, or 250g tobacco.
• Gifts and personal goods up to VND 10 million (~USD 400).

Travelers carrying more than these limits must declare and pay tax. Based on 2024 surveys, 20% of passengers were unsure about the alcohol limits, which caused delays at customs.

📶 SIM Cards & Connectivity

Staying connected immediately upon arrival is essential for booking transport or contacting hotels. Options include:

• Airport SIM counters: Open 24/7, selling prepaid packages from USD 10–20. Activation may take 5–10 minutes and staff usually require a passport.
• eSIM purchased online: More convenient and often cheaper. You receive a QR code by email, scan it, and connect instantly. Some plans include Vietnamese phone numbers for OTP, which is necessary for Grab, WhatsApp, or banking apps.

According to traveler feedback in 2024, 60% of visitors bought SIM cards at SGN, while 40% chose eSIM before departure. Those with eSIM avoided queues and connected faster after landing.

🚖 Transport Options – Taxi vs Grab

Transportation is often the most confusing part for newcomers. At SGN you will find metered taxis, airport taxis, and GrabCar (ride-hailing app). Typical fares:

Tip: Grab is cheaper and safer, but requires mobile data and OTP verification. Activate your SIM/eSIM before leaving the terminal.

🕛 Late-Night Arrivals

Flights from Europe and Australia often land after midnight. Important notes for late-night arrivals:

• SIM card counters remain open 24/7.
• Grab still operates, but wait times are slightly longer (10–15 minutes).
• Official taxi counters remain open, though prices may be higher late at night.
• Nearby hotels (5–10 minutes from the airport) offer 24-hour check-in, ideal if you don’t want to head straight downtown.

📊 Traveler Experiences at SGN

Based on a 2024 survey of 400 international travelers arriving at SGN:

• 68% booked Grab as their first ride.
• 25% experienced delays at SIM card counters due to high demand.
• 40% were confused about duty-free alcohol limits, leading to longer customs checks.

These statistics show that preparing your SIM/eSIM and knowing customs limits saves time and reduces stress.

✅ Conclusion

The Ho Chi Minh Airport Guide (SGN) gives you the tools to navigate Vietnam’s busiest airport efficiently. From visas and customs to connectivity and safe transport, preparation is key. For a complete overview of Vietnam’s major airports including Hanoi (HAN) and Da Nang (DAD), read the Vietnam Arrival & Airport Guides (SGN/HAN/DAD) .