SGN Transfer Question -- Am I cutting it too close?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,824
SGN Transfer Question -- Am I cutting it too close?
Quick question for you VN experts
Leaving Vietnam, We have a 10:20am flight SGN-BKK on TG. My preference was to spend our last night in Hoi An, then catch the 6:05am VN flight out of DAD. I would think that wold leave us plenty of time to connect...but having never flown VN before nor been to SGN, I have no idea if this is too risky. Complicating matters, (a) we'll be there in October when I understand the weather can be a problem, and (b) the TG flight is the first segment of our return *A award, so if we miss that flight, we are big-time SOL.
Would any of you risk this? The obvious alternative is to fly into SGN the night before...it's just that we'd so much rather spend another night at the resort in Hoi An than negotiate HCMC for a night.
Thanks for your help!
Leaving Vietnam, We have a 10:20am flight SGN-BKK on TG. My preference was to spend our last night in Hoi An, then catch the 6:05am VN flight out of DAD. I would think that wold leave us plenty of time to connect...but having never flown VN before nor been to SGN, I have no idea if this is too risky. Complicating matters, (a) we'll be there in October when I understand the weather can be a problem, and (b) the TG flight is the first segment of our return *A award, so if we miss that flight, we are big-time SOL.
Would any of you risk this? The obvious alternative is to fly into SGN the night before...it's just that we'd so much rather spend another night at the resort in Hoi An than negotiate HCMC for a night.
Thanks for your help!
#2
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 3,395
I think you should be safe usually.
Especially: i did the almost same thing Last Year but we spent the Night in hcmc. And i terribly regreted that, simply because eventhough we stayed at the Park hatt, that didnt match up to the resort in Hoi an.
All of our vn flights were eventless and on time.
Especially: i did the almost same thing Last Year but we spent the Night in hcmc. And i terribly regreted that, simply because eventhough we stayed at the Park hatt, that didnt match up to the resort in Hoi an.
All of our vn flights were eventless and on time.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 527
I would not risk it. Check in at SGN is at least 3 hours unless you flying business or first. The domestic terminal is separate from the international terminal so you have to wait and pickup your baggage then walk to the international terminal, about 400 yards. The weather factor compounds the problem.
I would fly into SGN the night before and party until you drop. There are cheap hotel that you can rent by the hour, just check with the taxi driver. Be able to speak Vietnamese would be a plus in finding and negotiating for a hotel.
I would fly into SGN the night before and party until you drop. There are cheap hotel that you can rent by the hour, just check with the taxi driver. Be able to speak Vietnamese would be a plus in finding and negotiating for a hotel.
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
If everything went smoothly you'd have no problem with the transfer at SGN but I wouldn't risk it, especially as you've stated it's the first leg of an award.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SGN
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP 75k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 149
The walk from the domestic terminal to the international shouldn't take you more than 10 mins with luggage.
In the event of IRROPS, I'd make sure you let VN know that you have an international flight to catch. The VN service counter is immediately left (about 10m) when you walk into the main entrance of the new DN airport. As much as I've ranted about VN service, one thing they will do is prioritize international travelers in your situation. Also, you may want to let TG know ahead of time that you are on VN Flight XX DAD-SGN. You might also want to get the TG phone number in SGN handy. If the IRROPS is due to weather, more than likely, it may also effect BKK as well. Last, I saw a post the other day that BKK is repairing some runways. Might want to check that out too.
However, I think dsquared37 makes a practical point that you will have to leave Hoi An by 4AM so I'm not sure if it's worth it to stay. But if it is, that's your call and be prepared for a long morning regardless.