Asia - New terminal at SGN open

Vietnam Airlines start using the new international at Tan Son Nhat on Tuesday (28th). Other airlines are already switching and the old terminal should be closed for good in September.

http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/?catid=7&newsid=30976

I will be very sad to see the old terminal close (though it will be used for domestic flights). Another bit of history disappearing to be replaced by a terminal with a modern, generic much-of-a-muchness appearance.

I've always found the small scale of SGN and its proximity to the city centre really great. I've been off a plane and into a taxi in less than 15 minutes - and to my room in district 3 in another 15. (Allow 30 for the centre.)

The proximity to the centre will remain for the time being - though there are plans to build a new airport further out at Long Thanh.

I'm excited. I've had enough of that old terminal, but I completely agree about the location. My office is 5 minutes away & my apt is reasonably easy to get to quickly, too.

I was taken by surprise with the new terminal when I landed at SGN last week. No money changer and no taxi coupon being sold yet. Very quiet.

I was back at the terminal today, still very quiet with some renovation work still ongoing. No restaurant or shop in sight, but the SASCO lounge is operating (very poor signage leading to lounge).

I will be very sad to see the old terminal close (though it will be used for domestic flights). Another bit of history disappearing to be replaced by a terminal with a modern, generic much-of-a-muchness appearance.

I've always found the small scale of SGN and its proximity to the city centre really great. I've been off a plane and into a taxi in less than 15 minutes - and to my room in district 3 in another 15. (Allow 30 for the centre.)

The proximity to the centre will remain for the time being - though there are plans to build a new airport further out at Long Thanh.

I won't be sad to see the back of it I'm afraid. The inbound queue's at immigration sweating for up to an hour (thankfully rarely that long) due to the virtual non-existence of aircon is not something I'm fond of. I'm also hoping for better lounges and facilities in the new place. I believe there will be 6 lounges in the new terminal. *A have their own, as do OW, ScaryTeam, VN and a 'VIP' lounge. Not sure who has the other.

I was glad to see the new terminal at Noi Bai open as well, although landing there on my first ever visit to Vietnam and queuing on to the tarmac at the old terminal was quite an introduction to the country. :)

I totally agree with the second paragraph quoted above. SGN is the only airport I know that rivals Changi for speed of baggage delivered to the carousel!. Now that they have virtually finished the widening of the main road to the city centre it seems to have speeded the journey up a little as well.

I didn't know they were considering building a new airport ?.

does anyone have any information to single or multiple entry visa cost for a native born? I hate when they try to play cost game. One has to call vietnam embassy (if you are lucky to get through phone maze) to inquire. It would be a lot easier if they charge one price for everyone. I think they have one price for vietnam born and another price for foreigners, not sure on this one.

I managed to get through last week and was proceeded to be harrassed by a vietnamese female for not speaking vietnamese. I ask the young lady if she can speak Spanish or Italian, of course she couldn't (well I'm fluent in Spanish, Italian and English); however, she continued to give me a tongue lashing for not speaking vietnamese fluently. Mean while, she works as a customer representative at US embassy in Washington, DC but couldn't speak proper english. How ironic.



Need to get a visa in the next 3 weeks.

Now that they have virtually finished the widening of the main road to the city centre it seems to have speeded the journey up a little as well.

Virtually finished? Last time I saw it they were still in the process of final building removal and hadn't started paving any of it. It will still be a little while until it's really finished.

SGN is the only airport I know that rivals Changi for speed of baggage delivered to the carousel!.

It took ages for my luggage to come out at the new SGN terminal eventhough no other aircraft was at the terminal.

For me the quickest is always DPS (yes its hard to believe but true), followed by HKT but then these are not major city airports.
(Cant remember the last time I had checked luggage into SIN)

Virtually finished? Last time I saw it they were still in the process of final building removal and hadn't started paving any of it. It will still be a little while until it's really finished.

Sad to see all those trees going...

One of the (serious) plans they have is for a "skytrain". So not only will the road be wider, but it will become doubledeck.

does anyone have any information to single or multiple entry visa cost for a native born?

Hi Buckiball. Suggest you start another thread on this as your question might be missed by someone who knows the answer but isn't interested in the new terminal.

Probably only another person of VN origin will know the latest reality. BUT.. I do remember an annoucement that so-called "viet kieu" would be permitted to get a visa on arrival effective some time this autumn. Whether this is restricted in someway - eg to those holding certain kinds of "second" citizenship or not I don't know.

I did find this: http://www.saigontimes.com.vn/daily/detail.asp?muc=2&Sobao=2964&SoTT=2

The VN government has never regarded overseas Vietnamese as simple foreigners so is unlikely to treat them that way. In some ways this can work in your favour now.

Virtually finished? Last time I saw it they were still in the process of final building removal and hadn't started paving any of it. It will still be a little while until it's really finished.

Last week most of the main drag seemed to have been resurfaced with the obvious exception of the bridge, which was still a mess. The main part up past the Omni Hotel seemed much quicker than a month or so earlier.

Last week most of the main drag seemed to have been resurfaced with the obvious exception of the bridge, which was still a mess. The main part up past the Omni Hotel seemed much quicker than a month or so earlier.

Just drove down it today. Looks like most of the paving and curb work is almost finished, but still some building fronts that are in disaray.

The main issue is that even though they made the road wider, the cars are still only allowed in the far left lane, while the motorbikes now have more space. Someday they'll figure it out.

Regarding the trees, I see they kept some of the big ones in the area near the Oceania Restaurant. Glad to see that.

The main issue is that even though they made the road wider, the cars are still only allowed in the far left lane, while the motorbikes now have more space. Someday they'll figure it out.



You reckon ?. :D

At least the added room gives more licence for your taxi driver to 'cheat' his way up the road when you're running late !.

Some pictures of the new terminal on this trip report:

http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2046

The lounge looks great! The lounge in the old terminal is absolutely terrible. I fly out in a few weeks so looking forward to checking it out. Thanks for posting the link.