Thursday, March 27, 2014

Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (IATA: SGNICAO: VVTS) (Vietnamese: Sân bay quốc tế Tân Sơn Nhất) is  Vietnam’s largest international airport in terms of area (800 ha or 1,977 acres compared with 650 ha or 1,606 acres of Hanoi’s Nội Bài International Airport and Đà Nẵng International Airport).

Tan Son Nhat International Airport 1


Tan Son Nhat Aiport Transfer services

It has a handling capacity of 25 million passengers per year, compared with the  of Hanoi city - Noi Bai airport of 8 million passengers and Da Nang’s 6 million passengers. It is also the largest airport of Vietnam in terms of passengers handled (with a number of 17,538,000 passengers per year in 2012, accounting for 46.6% of Vietnam’s air passenger traffic), serving Ho Chi Minh City as well as the rest of southeastern Vietnam. Its IATA code, SGN, is derived from the city's former name of Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat InternationalAirport (SGN) is the usual destination for those coming to the south of Vietnam. Flying from  USA or Europe usually involves a stop-over in Asia or the Middle East, be it Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Dubai etc. so be prepared for a long haul.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport 2

Arriving 
When you arrive at the Immigration desks, all that is usually required from you is your passport (with visa inside - if required) and your incoming flight number. See the article about VOA if you have to collect the Visa at airport. That's it. If you have anything to declare to Customs, when you go downstairs you should declare them and fill out a separate form.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport 2

Leaving the International terminal building, the ATM area is at the right hand end. You will find 4 / 6 working ATM's, some with a maximum withdrawal of 4,000,000 Dong. Do not live the terminal without 300,000/500,000 Dong, it is the only legal currency in Vietnam and you will need it for paying food and taxi. The currency exchange shops inside the terminal are ok, with some currency better than some banks.  

Taxis are located on the left part of the terminal, the cost to most hotels in District 1 is from 140,000 to 160,000 dong. Do not use USD as it is an opportunity to get ripped off. Please use only the two most reliable taxi company, Mai Linh, with car and van white and green, and the white Vinasun more frequent in HCMC. Depending on the hours taxi may be waiting at the curb, ignore any name apart the two mentioned, when one arrive the manager will magically appears and will ask for destination giving you a slip of paper with the taxi number.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport 3
You can also pay in advance at the Taxi counter before going out of the airport but it will not be cheaper.  Make sure you get a metered taxi!! The rates are regulated, and are based on distance and time waiting while en route. Read the cost on the meter to make sure you are not getting ripped off. The airport exit toll fee is 10,000 vnd and the driver should pay it but they always add 10/15.000 vnd at your hotel arrival. People (touts) may try and grab you and direct you to their taxi, and give you a rate of $12-15 plus. Don't do it, get a metered cab instead.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport 4

The cheapest way is to take public city Bus # 152 parking in a lane few steps away on the right side from the Arrival's entrance. It takes you downtown to the Bus Station on the opposite side of the traffic circle from Ben Thanh market, at a cost of 5,000 VND + 5,000 VND if your luggage weighs 10kg or beyond. It runs every 20 minutes from 6 am until 6 pm.

An Airport counter for car rental is available at the Arrival terminal but you need a Vietnam driving licence. This counter belongs to Southern Airport Corporation.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport 5

if you need somewhere to store your bags for whatever reason, turn to the right as you exit the International terminal and head to the end of the building. You will find a staffed luggage storage area. You can leave your baggage there for as long as you need, cost is around 23.000 VND per hour.

Departure  

Taking a taxi to the airport should cost the same as leaving it, so please follow the tips on the previous section. The airport fee is not paid arriving at the airport (only leaving) so if the driver will try to ask for it with the usual fake receipt just mention you have already paid it when arrived.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport 6

The airport departure tax is now included in the price of your ticket. After check-in, the first thing you hit is Customs with Immigration following. The security check follows. Make sure you don't have any sharps, excess liquids etc with you as they will be confiscated.

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After the security check upstair there is free wifi courtesy of Illy Caffe, careful with the Illy Cappuccino, the best in Vietnam but even more expensive than Starbucks in Seattle. A bottle of water is the same, 2,5 USD, a world record. Also Burger King has free wifi both outside the terminal and upstair, the password is the same, add tsn to the name.

Tan Son Nhat airport is fairly small and although there are duty frees on sale the range is limited. If you want to buy any local specialities, buy before you go to the airport since you have more choices in the city center. Know the limits (especially liquids) applying to both checked in and carry on items. Even more so if transiting another country. Be aware that certain countries prohibit the import of certain goods, foods etc. Check before you buy. No point buying only to have it confiscated on arrival at your destination. If you buy DVD there is the possibility that they x-ray the luggage and ask for a fine, so it is better to forget about them.

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If you find your flight is delayed or you need to store your bags for whatever reason, head for the arrivals level of the International terminal. There are lifts, stairs and escalators at the end of the building. Over to the left you will find a staffed luggage storage area. You can leave your baggage there for as long as you need, cost is around 23.000 VND per hour.

Outside the departure hall there are two fast food outlets, Domino's Pizza and Burger King, with a good menu selection and normal prices in VND, but during the day you have to eat under the sun. At the departure gate go to the top floor and you will find one restaurant and another Burger King, this time both have prices only in USD. If you require other food choices then you really need to get to them before going on through customs. nearby there is the Parkson store (with it's food hall) opposite both terminals which is passed on the way into the airport (about a 5 minute walk away).


From Wiki and Tripadvisor

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