Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's biggest domestic flight hub: Tan Son Nhat has many daily flights to almost every holiday destination. Here are the four routes international visitors choose most after a few days in Saigon.
Four popular routes
| Destination | Flight time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc | About 1 hour | Beaches, resorts, snorkelling |
| Da Nang | About 1 hour 20 minutes | My Khe beach, Hoi An old town, Hue nearby |
| Hanoi | About 2 hours 10 minutes | The Old Quarter, northern food, onward to Ha Long and Ninh Binh |
| Da Lat | Under 1 hour | Cool climate, pine hills, coffee |
Domestic routes from Ho Chi Minh City are flown by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines, with Sun PhuQuoc Airways also serving Phu Quoc. You can search and book domestic flights on Newway SAS to compare times and fares across airlines.
More on each place: Phu Quoc, Da Lat.
Which terminal?
Domestic flights at Tan Son Nhat leave from two terminals, depending on the airline:
- T1: Vietjet Air.
- T3: Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines, Sun PhuQuoc Airways.
T2 is for international flights only. Airline terminal assignments can change, so check your ticket or the airline's notices before you fly. Details in Tan Son Nhat Airport terminals.
Connecting the same day after an international arrival
If your international and domestic flights are on separate tickets, you usually go through immigration, collect your bags and clear customs at T2, then go to T1 or T3 and check in again from scratch.
- Allow at least 3 hours between landing and your domestic departure.
- T1 and T2 are next to each other and walkable. T3 is about 1 km from T2, so take the shuttle or a taxi. See how to change terminals for a connection.
- Get online before you switch terminals so you can check flight updates: the SIM & eSIM counter is right by baggage carousel 8 in T2. A Vietnamese SIM works in every destination in this article.
Long wait? After check-in and security at the domestic terminal, relax in a business lounge with food, drinks and wifi — no business-class ticket needed.
Domestic flying tips
- Carry your passport: foreign visitors use it to check in for domestic flights too.
- Low fares often include carry-on only; adding checked bags when you book is cheaper than at the airport.
- In peak periods (Tet, summer, public holidays) book early.
Just arrived in Ho Chi Minh City? Read your first hour at International Terminal 2, or stay a few more days for a Mekong Delta day trip.