With small children and grandparents in tow, the hardest part of the trip is rarely the flight itself; it is the hours on the ground getting to the airport, queuing and waiting to board. A little preparation makes the day much easier.
Documents: check them the night before
- International flights: everyone, babies included, needs their own valid passport, plus a visa if the destination requires one.
- Domestic flights in Vietnam: foreign children travel on their passport. Vietnamese children under 14 can use a birth certificate (original or official extract), a passport, a citizen ID card, or their details in a parent’s level-2 VNeID account; babies under 2 months without a birth certificate can use a hospital birth record. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Older travellers: keep prescriptions and daily medication in your hand luggage.
Rules can change, so confirm with your airline before you travel.
Choose flights and seats
- Daytime flights are kinder to grandparents and little ones than very early or very late departures.
- Choose seats together and near the aisle for easy trips to the restroom.
- Need a wheelchair? Tell your airline as early as possible, ideally when booking. Airlines arrange the wheelchair and staff from check-in to the aircraft door.
Getting to the airport: room for people and luggage
A family of four or five usually has several suitcases plus a stroller or baby carrier. A 7-seat car carries up to 5 passengers and 4 suitcases; for more people or bulky items, choose a 16-seat van. When you book a Tan Son Nhat airport transfer, add a note if you need a child seat and Newway SAS will have it ready.
- The car collects you at home and drops you at the right terminal. Not sure which? See which airlines use which terminal.
- The driver helps with the luggage, and the all-inclusive fare covers airport fees and tolls.
At the airport: fewer queues, somewhere to rest
- Fast track: Newway SAS staff meet the whole family and escort you through the priority lanes, with packages that include luggage help. One booking covers up to 20 adults and 20 children. See airport fast track.
- Lounges: comfortable seats, light meals and a quiet space instead of crowded gate seating. In T3, The SENS Business Lounge has child seats and a multi-purpose room. Browse all airport lounges.
Coming home: book your pickup in advance
After the flight, everyone just wants to get home. Book the pickup ahead: your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign and tracks your real landing time, so a delayed flight still has a car waiting, at no extra cost.
What to pack
- Everyone’s documents together in one easy-to-reach pouch
- Regular medication, motion-sickness tablets, fever patches
- Milk, snacks and an empty bottle to fill after security
- A light jacket, as cabins are often cold
- Small toys and headphones for the kids
Frequently asked questions
Which car suits a family of five with four suitcases?
A 7-seat car, which takes up to 5 passengers and 4 suitcases. With a stroller or other bulky items, choose a 16-seat van.