*A lounges in SGN?
 

An upcoming trip will require a few hours transit at SGN. Does anyone have advice or experience on *A lounges at the airport? Is it possible/advisable to go into town for dinner? I've never been to SGN before, only HAN, so am tempted to see a little if possible. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Tan Son Nhut Airport (SGN) *looks* like it hasn't been upgraded/expanded/refurbished since 1975. I've read reports of a desperately needed new international terminal under construction, but don't think it's open yet or have info on when it will. I did see some doors with airline logos on them, and * might coordinate for its airlines, but I wouldn't expect much.

Traffic in Saigon is nightmarish, with no expressways and tons of cyclos in addition to the growing ranks of cars filling the streets. You have to take surface arteries from the airport into District 1, the old downtown with the more significant historical sites, such as the Presidential (Reunification) Palace, Cathedral, Opera House (former RSVN Parliament), Central Post Office, Hotel de Ville (forget what that's called now), and the old hotels. It takes a good 40 minutes even in off-hours to reach District 1. Going back through exit formalities is a hassle, too, and can take upwards of 30 minutes. To get any value out of a transit stop in SGN, I'd say you'd need a good six hours.

Then again, the cab fare is less than US$5 into town. This is actually one of the more interesting rides into town from an airport. Who wants to spend the entire time on a highway anyway...

the new international airport will be located at a place about 10-20 miles from saigon called long thanh north, a place i last visited in 1972.it has 2 new and long runways in place. we put in the sceond runway in ,i believe 1970. when i last flew over it there was nothing there except the runways and jungle.

I agree. By virtue of travelling the main surface arteries, you'll come in very close contact with the people of Saigon throughout the ride into the city center from the airport. I'm just saying all the traffic means it will take at least 30 minutes.

One of the more impressive aspects of the ride was going through the various neighborhoods and down some tree-lined streets before coming upon an area with tons of trees and no shops or houses--not quite a park, but sort of. Look to the right from an unprepossessing intersection, and there is the Presidential Palace with the red flag gently luffing atop it, quietly bearing witness to the war and the peace. It was all so ordinary. And not at all.