There are two terminals at Ho Chi Minh Airport, approximately 100 metres apart and connected by an outdoor covered walkway. A third terminal is under construction and is likely to open in 2025.
- Terminal 1 - an older and smaller building used for domestic flights within Vietnam only
- Terminal 2 - a modern terminal built in 2007, serves all international flights
- Terminal 3 - the newest building will complement Terminal 1 and serve domestic flights within Vietnam
Transportation between terminals
Between Terminals 1 and 2, you can walk between the two terminals in 5 minutes on an outdoor marked walkway.
Terminal 3 will be approximately 1 km away from the current terminals and there are plans to introduce a free shuttle bus.
Transfer between flights
Ho Chi Minh Airport is fairly straightforward for transferring passengers and transfers are quick if you don't have to change terminals.
International <-> International
If you're flying to another country via Ho Chi Minh and have both flights booked on the same reservation, you don't need to leave the transit zone.
Therefore, there is no need to arrange a visa for Vietnam either.
You do not need to worry about your checked baggage, it will be transferred automatically.
For international transfers, you always stay in Terminal 2 and only go through the security checkpoint specifically for transferring passengers.
The average transfer time between planes is between 20 and 40 minutes.
International <-> Domestic
If arriving from a destination outside Vietnam and continuing on a domestic flight within Vietnam, you must always move from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1.
Even if you have both flights on one connecting ticket, you must always leave the transit zone and move between terminals on your own. Airlines do not provide any self transfer between terminals.
- Immigration control
- Checked baggage reclaim
- Transfer to the other terminal (free shuttle bus stops on Level 1, frequency 15 minutes, operating hours 5:00-1:00)
- Baggage check-in / boarding pass collection
- Security check
In total, these procedures usually take 60 to 120 minutes depending on the queue at immigration control and the waiting time for the shuttle bus.
Domestic <-> Domestic
Transferring between two flights within Vietnam is very simple and you do not go through any checks during the transfer.
You get off the plane directly into the departure gate area and therefore the transfer usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Ho Chi Minh Airport is a major transfer hub with departures very early in the morning and arrivals late in the evening. Where to stay comfortably in the area?
Staying overnight in the terminal - opening hours
The public areas of all terminals are open 24/7.
The most convenient for overnight stays is the 1st or 3rd floor of International Terminal 2, where it is quietest and has the least light during the night.
However, seating is scarce and you should expect to sleep on the floor, which is commonly practiced here and will therefore not attract unwanted attention.
Hotels near the terminal
There are no hotels directly inside the terminals, but you will find plenty of accommodation in the vicinity of the airport.
There are larger hotels from local and international chains, as well as extremely cheap local hotels.
Large hotels (prices around 65 usd)
- Ibis Saigon Airport **** - 300 metres from terminals 1/2, there is also a free hotel shuttle to the airport
- Bluesky Serviced Apartment Airport Plaza - fully equipped apartments with reception approx. 300 metres from terminals 1/2
- Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport ***** - approx. 600 metres to the terminal, hotel offers free airport shuttle
Cheap well rated hotels (from 25 usd)
- HANZ Queen Airport Hotel - great small and very cheap hotel 400 metres from terminals 1/2
- New Space Hotel Airport - small budget hotel 500 metres from terminals 1/2
Hotels in the centre
Most accommodation options can be found in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, where there are large multinational brand hotels and small local hotels. Prices start from 15 usd per night.
