Checked on October 27, 2026

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City

Sân bay quốc tế Tân Sơn Nhất

Saigon's airport is only 7 to 8 km from District 1, but traffic can turn that into a 45-minute ride. International flights land at Terminal 2; domestic flights use Terminals 1 and 3. Here is how to get through arrivals and into the city without overpaying.

Code: SGN · VVTS
To District 1: 7–8 km
Terminals: T1 · T2 · T3
E-visa: accepted

In short

International flights: Terminal 2. Domestic flights: Terminal 1 or the newer Terminal 3, depending on the airline: check your booking.
To District 1: 25 to 45 minutes by car. Grab cars pick up in the T2 car park, not at the kerb. Bus 109 is the cheap option.
The e-visa is accepted at Tan Son Nhat. Print your approval letter and keep it with your passport.

Terminals

T1Domestic

Domestic flights for part of the carriers.

T2International

All international arrivals and departures.

T3Domestic

Opened in 2025, takes a large share of domestic traffic. Each terminal has its own pickup points.

Tell your driver which terminal you land at: a driver told to meet you “at the airport” may go to the wrong building.

International arrival, step by step

1
Immigration
Passport and printed e-visa approval letter, or your visa exemption. Queues are longest when several long-haul flights land together.
2
Baggage reclaim
Belt screens list your flight. Trolleys are free.
3
Customs
Green channel if you have nothing to declare. Cash above USD 5,000 or the equivalent must be declared.
4
Arrivals hall
ATMs, exchange counters, SIM kiosks and prepaid taxi counters before the exit. Anyone offering a taxi or help with bags inside the hall is not an official service.

Getting to District 1

Option	Time	Price	Luggage
Grab car or Xanh SMApp	25–45 min	₫150,000 – ₫250,000≈ $6 – $10	Easy
Metered taxiTaxi	25–45 min	₫170,000 – ₫280,000≈ $7 – $11	Easy
Airport bus 109Bus	45–60 min	approx. ₫15,000 – ₫20,000≈ $1 – $1 · per person	Limited
Private transferTransfer	25–45 min	₫400,000 – ₫700,000≈ $16 – $27	Easy

Indicative prices in Vietnamese dong (VND), per vehicle unless stated. Fares rise at night, in heavy rain and around Tet.

Grab car or Xanh SM

Fixed price before you book. At T2, app cars collect in the multi-storey car park next to arrivals, not at the kerb. Fares rise in heavy rain and after 11 pm.

Metered taxi

Vinasun (white) or Mai Linh (green) from the official rank. Check the brand spelling and phone number on the door: fake liveries wait outside. A small airport gate fee is added to the fare.

Airport bus 109

Yellow bus from the terminals to District 1 (Pham Ngu Lao, Ben Thanh area), with room for one suitcase. Pay the conductor in small notes; check the last departure on arrival.

Private transfer

Driver with a name sign and a fixed price. Worth it after 11 pm, when buses have stopped and app fares surge, and for families with luggage.

Book a private transfer

Off-peak the ride can take 20 minutes; at rush hour or in a downpour, allow an hour.

Fast track at immigration

Fast-track services take you through a priority immigration lane, staff meeting you near the immigration hall. Most useful when long-haul arrivals bunch up in the evening. Visa fees are not included.

See fast-track options

Visa and e-visa at Tan Son Nhat

Tan Son Nhat is one of the international airports where the Vietnamese e-visa is accepted. Many passports enter visa-free for a limited stay; everyone else applies online before the trip.

E-visa fee: US$25 single entry · US$50 multiple entries
Maximum stay: up to 90 days
Processing: about 3 working days (apply at least 7 days ahead)
Official portal: evisa.gov.vn

39 nationalities can enter without a visa under the general rules.

E-visa step-by-step guide

Your passport

Mobile data on arrival

Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIM cards in the arrivals hall (passport required). An eSIM bought before you fly works as soon as you land, which also makes booking a Grab easier.

Compare Vietnam eSIMs

Hotels near Tan Son Nhat airport

For a very early flight or a late arrival, a night near the airport saves the ride into town.

See hotels near the airport

Flying out

Arrive 2 to 3 hours before an international flight (T2) and about 2 hours before a domestic one. From District 1, allow at least an hour for the ride at rush hour.

Tips

Check your terminal (T1, T2 or T3) on the airline app before landing.
Install Grab and Xanh SM: one often undercuts the other when demand surges.
Send your driver your terminal number and pickup zone in the app chat.
Never get into a taxi whose meter already shows a high number.

Frequently asked questions

Which terminal is international at Tan Son Nhat?

Terminal 2 handles all international flights. Domestic flights use Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, which opened in 2025.

How far is Tan Son Nhat airport from District 1?

About 7 to 8 km. The ride takes 20 to 25 minutes off-peak and 45 minutes to an hour at rush hour or in heavy rain.

Where do I find Grab at Tan Son Nhat?

At Terminal 2, app cars pick up in the multi-storey car park next to arrivals. Follow the in-app pickup marker.

Can I enter Vietnam at Tan Son Nhat with an e-visa?

Yes, Tan Son Nhat is one of the airports where the Vietnamese e-visa is accepted. Check whether your passport needs one with our visa checker.

Will Long Thanh airport replace Tan Son Nhat?

Long Thanh, east of the city, is being built to take most international flights from Tan Son Nhat. Until it opens, all international flights to Ho Chi Minh City use Tan Son Nhat.

Other airports

Prices and times are indicative ranges checked on October 27, 2026; they change with traffic, weather and season. Visa information comes from our visa rules register, updated from official sources.