Japan is high on many travellers’ wish lists, and there are plenty of direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo and Osaka. Prepare things in the right order (visa, flights, connectivity, airport day) and the whole trip runs more smoothly.
How long is the flight?
- Tokyo (Narita, Haneda): about 6 hours direct.
- Osaka (Kansai): about 5 hours direct.
- Overnight flights: usually depart late at night and land early in the morning Japan time, so you lose no daytime, as long as you can sleep on board.
- Time difference: Japan is 2 hours ahead of Vietnam.
Compare schedules and fares with our flight search.
Which season?
- Spring (late March – early April): cherry blossom season in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Very busy, so book flights and rooms months ahead.
- Summer (June – August): hot and humid with an early-summer rainy spell, but festivals galore, and Mount Fuji’s climbing season runs from July to early September.
- Autumn (mid-November – early December): autumn leaves in Tokyo and Kyoto, with cool days ideal for walking.
- Winter (December – February): snow in Hokkaido and the mountains; Tokyo is cold and dry with little snow.
Visas and entry
Visa rules depend on your passport: Vietnamese citizens need a visa for Japan, while many other nationalities can visit visa-free for short stays. Check the latest requirements with the Embassy of Japan or the Japanese consulate for your country well before you travel.
Before departure you can register your immigration and customs details on Visit Japan Web to get QR codes that speed up arrival formalities.
Stay connected: sort it out before you fly
Maps, train apps and translation all need data. Buying an eSIM or travel SIM before you leave means you are online as soon as you land. Newway SAS sells travel eSIMs and SIM cards, sends the QR code by email and walks you through the setup; call us for advice on a plan that works in Japan.
Departure day at Tan Son Nhat
- Getting there: all international flights leave from Terminal 2. Book an airport transfer with an all-inclusive fare and aim to arrive about 3 hours before departure.
- Faster formalities: departure fast track gives you priority at passport control and security, a real help on busy overnight flights. See airport fast track.
- Relax before boarding: Apricot Business Lounge and Jasmine Halal Lounge in Terminal 2 are open 24/7, a place to eat and unwind before a long flight.
Coming home
Landing at Terminal 2 after a long flight, arrival fast track (priority immigration and baggage help) plus a pre-booked car with a driver waiting in the arrivals hall gets you home fastest.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo?
About 6 hours direct.
What is the best time to visit Japan?
Cherry blossom season (late March – early April) and autumn leaf season (mid-November – early December) are the favourites.
Which Tan Son Nhat terminal do flights to Japan use?
Terminal 2, the international terminal. See Tan Son Nhat Airport terminals.