Quick question - arrival into Saigon
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Grandee (Upgraded), BA Silver, AZ MilleMiglia
Posts: 3,107
Quick question - arrival into Saigon
I'm arriving in SGN on a flight from HKG that lands at about 6PM on a Monday in July. Checked luggage, British passport. Any idea how long it will take to go through immigration, collect bags, and be in a taxi?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,729
It can be anything between from 5-90 minutes. Try to get as fast as possible to the immigration counters. If you are stuck in a queue it can take quite long as the staff there is not very time-efficient.
Bagagge delivery is usually quite fast especially for priority tagged bags.
Bagagge delivery is usually quite fast especially for priority tagged bags.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
Overall, its the fastest airport I use. With hand luggage only, I've been off the plane, through immigration and customs and into a taxi in under 10 minutes. I would say 25 minutes is typical if you have non-priority luggage. Allowing 10 minutes to get off the plane, then if its on time I'd guess you could be getting a taxi at 6.35PM. 6.45PM if you want to be a little more prudent.
British passport is nothing out of the ordinary. From memory you're processed either as ASEAN or non-ASEAN. Just make sure you don't join a queue for a booth serving locals/ASEAN only.
You probably know this - you need a visa.
Last edited by jimbo99; May 22, 2007 at 8:08 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
#5
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,729
90 minutes was the longest time I ever had to wait. Actually I was waiting outside the terminal for a friend arriving from FRA who was in Y and it took him 90 minutes to get through immigration. Another flight arrived just before them which could explain the long waiting time
#7
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: UK/USA
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 48
Less than half an hour usually. More important is to ensure all your papers are in order, otherwise immigration will be asking you a lot of questions.
And when in doubt, declare any important items at Customs. I normally would declare a laptop and mobile, just in case. Also any other electronic media that can later be mis-construed as "sensitive" information. But that's just me, being paranoid.
And when in doubt, declare any important items at Customs. I normally would declare a laptop and mobile, just in case. Also any other electronic media that can later be mis-construed as "sensitive" information. But that's just me, being paranoid.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
I had visions of being immediately sent home, questioned for hours, etc., but it was fixed in maybe 10 minutes.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
They take more interest in cardboard boxes that are obviously carrying quantities of commercial goods or returning Vietnamese.
If for some reason you are carrying in large amounts of cash, then you should declare it so that you are free to take it out again. (I forget the limit - its as given on the form.)
I did know of someone who accidentally imported a gun. Now that did cause problems....
Last edited by jimbo99; May 28, 2007 at 11:14 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Jersey City, NJ USA
Posts: 975
I've brought a laptop into the country 5 times in the last 16 months and have never been questioned. I agree it is wise to declare things they ask for (such as currency), but don't volunteer anything above and beyond that.