Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Connection Time at SGN

Hi Everyone, I am trying to do a SGN turnaround then HKG-JFK to take advantage of the lower fare for the first time thanks to FT. I have the following ticket confirmed already:
Jul 16 CX 766 SGN-HKG departs 11:25 then connecting to CX840 departs at 16:10. Now I need a positioning flight from HKG-SGN, I can take either Jul 16 CX767 Departs 08:50 which arrives SGN at 10:20, or I can take an afternoon flt on Jul 15 and overnight at SGN which I will need to apply a VISA. What do you guys think? I assume I do not need a VISA transiting SGN same day without leaving the airport since it is intl-intl connection. Thanks

Double check if you really don't need a visa for Vietnam, because transit is usually defined as going from A via B to a different location C and not back to the same location A.

If you don't need to recheck luggage you could easily take the same plane back. Lounges in SGN are nothing to write home about,

Thanks for your reply, I think I will go a day earlier and relax a wander around the town, never been to to Vietnam or SGN I guess I should get a VISA and plan an overnight layover. I have heard that the Vietnamese VISA is inexpensive and easy to obtain too, I have US passport.

around 60usd is not what I call inexpensive today....but it's pretty to get indeed...

I used this guy http://www.vietnamvisapro.com/ - standard non-rush service. Got the visa letter in email the next day, and he charged just USD 20, including for the 'guarantee letter' that they require of Indian passport holders.

Interestingly, i realized that a 'other agent give cheaper' made TAs requote lower! For a visa, for a hotel, for a junk hire!

Show the letter and the airline lets you board, then show letter + form + other stuff to Immgration @ SGN and they put the actual visa on your passport. The fees you have to pay to Immigration at the airport is the same, irrespective of what agent you use.

You can also work with the consulate in SFO. Last time i did this they did not require your passport. Just send the form, pictures and pay. They send you a form. You don't even need to line up for Visa on Arrival, just go to immigration.

Saigon is well worth to go there - even for more than a day. The city is very close to the airport (make sure the taxi turns on the meter and just pay the metered fare), hotels are nice (i like the Intercontinental but many others are also very good).

Hi Everyone, I am trying to do a SGN turnaround then HKG-JFK to take advantage of the lower fare for the first time thanks to FT. I have the following ticket confirmed already:
Jul 16 CX 766 SGN-HKG departs 11:25 then connecting to CX840 departs at 16:10. Now I need a positioning flight from HKG-SGN, I can take either Jul 16 CX767 Departs 08:50 which arrives SGN at 10:20, or I can take an afternoon flt on Jul 15 and overnight at SGN which I will need to apply a VISA. What do you guys think? I assume I do not need a VISA transiting SGN same day without leaving the airport since it is intl-intl connection. Thanks

Double check if you really don't need a visa for Vietnam, because transit is usually defined as going from A via B to a different location C and not back to the same location A.

If you don't need to recheck luggage you could easily take the same plane back. Lounges in SGN are nothing to write home about,

AFAIK one do not need a visa to transit in SGN, although I have never been there and sometimes things depends on one's nationality so OP should definately check. On the other hand, if OP takes CX767 and returns on CX766 this is no doubt considered a transit, even if going back to the original point. 60min is the MCT so is doable.


T*CT-SGN/CXCX/II«
STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
OFFLINE 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
**-CX II 1.00
CX-** II 1.00

Thanks for everyone's help. Currently there is no Y or C award seat available on Jul 16 and the only revenue ticket seems to be about $500 USD on CX 1-way or $250 connecting flight with other carrier. Another option would be to take CX C award on Jul-15 and book a hotel overnight and get a VISA. Anybody have any suggestion on Hotel around $80/nt, just don't want to spend too much $$$.