Transiting at SGN
Oct 5, 2019 | 5:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 964
Transiting at SGN
I originally planned to visit Da Nang (DAD) from HKG. However, due to political unrest in HKG, I want to change my flights so that I fly to DAD from SIN or TPE. On my specific travel date, there's no direct flight, but a Jetstar-Vietnam Airlines flight via SGN.
I have never been to SGN. How is its reputation as a transit airport, in terms of luggage loss? Jetstar & Vietnam Airlines seems to be different airlines, but they aren't really, because Jetstar Pacific is majority owned by the latter. I can't afford to lose my checked bags because my turnaround at DAD is only 2 days, after which I will fly back to JFK.
My travel date is coming up soon and I would like to ask for your wisdom. Thanks.
I have never been to SGN. How is its reputation as a transit airport, in terms of luggage loss? Jetstar & Vietnam Airlines seems to be different airlines, but they aren't really, because Jetstar Pacific is majority owned by the latter. I can't afford to lose my checked bags because my turnaround at DAD is only 2 days, after which I will fly back to JFK.
My travel date is coming up soon and I would like to ask for your wisdom. Thanks.
Oct 5, 2019 | 6:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,417
Baggage is handled by ACV (Airports Corp. of Vietnam) not by the airlines so the airline you're flying doesn't really matter. In terms of losing your bags. Let's put it this way. Your bags are being handled by a state owned entity in a communist country. So not risk free, but probably less risky than checking your bags in the US.
Oct 6, 2019 | 2:40 am
#3
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
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I originally planned to visit Da Nang (DAD) from HKG. However, due to political unrest in HKG, I want to change my flights so that I fly to DAD from SIN or TPE. On my specific travel date, there's no direct flight, but a Jetstar-Vietnam Airlines flight via SGN.
I have never been to SGN. How is its reputation as a transit airport, in terms of luggage loss? Jetstar & Vietnam Airlines seems to be different airlines, but they aren't really, because Jetstar Pacific is majority owned by the latter. I can't afford to lose my checked bags because my turnaround at DAD is only 2 days, after which I will fly back to JFK.
My travel date is coming up soon and I would like to ask for your wisdom. Thanks.
I have never been to SGN. How is its reputation as a transit airport, in terms of luggage loss? Jetstar & Vietnam Airlines seems to be different airlines, but they aren't really, because Jetstar Pacific is majority owned by the latter. I can't afford to lose my checked bags because my turnaround at DAD is only 2 days, after which I will fly back to JFK.
My travel date is coming up soon and I would like to ask for your wisdom. Thanks.
But reading your story, I think that you are traveling on separate tickets ? In that case, you'll have to claim your bag in SGN and recheck in the domestic terminal. Jetstar being a LCC, it is usually not possible to cross-check a bag with another carrier. If you are on separate tickets, schedule at least 3 hrs between the 2 flights.
Oct 7, 2019 | 3:14 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dalat, Vietnam
Programs: Vietnam, Asiana, Singapore, EVA, Southwest
Posts: 934
Saigon is the most congested airport in Vietnam. From HKG you will have to change terminals to get to your DAD bound flight (int'l to domestic). Terminals are quite close, but you still have to walk through the parking lot and signing is not the best here. Vietnam Air is fine, but I avoid Jetstar Pacific like the plague.
There are plenty of direct flights from both TPE and SIN to DAD!
There are plenty of direct flights from both TPE and SIN to DAD!
Oct 7, 2019 | 7:14 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,417
Saigon is the most congested airport in Vietnam. From HKG you will have to change terminals to get to your DAD bound flight (int'l to domestic). Terminals are quite close, but you still have to walk through the parking lot and signing is not the best here. Vietnam Air is fine, but I avoid Jetstar Pacific like the plague.
There are plenty of direct flights from both TPE and SIN to DAD!
There are plenty of direct flights from both TPE and SIN to DAD!
If it were I,
1) I would not check bags.
2) I would look at the non-stop from SIN to DAD on SilkAir.
3) If transferring at SGN, I would fly the SGN>DAD segement on VN.
4) I would also look at transferring in BKK rather than SGN>
Oct 8, 2019 | 4:40 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
I checked several bags through SGN (SIN-SGN-REP) this summer without issue. The airport, itself, is rather dreary. Especially when you compare it to some of the other jewels in SEA. I flew Vietnam Airlines. You'll get a nice tour of the operations side of the aiport on your bus from the plane to the terminal.