Vietnam's largest domestic terminal, T3 at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport, opened on Thursday and is set for full operation by April 30. Here are some tips for passengers to avoid confusion at the new terminal.
T3 will have an annual capacity of 20 million passengers. Built by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, work on the VND11 trillion (US$445 million) terminal began at the end of 2022.
T3 is located next to T1 domestic terminal, with its entrance facing the road connecting Tran Quoc Hoan and Cong Hoa streets.
It will handle domestic flights for Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, while Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO will continue to operate from T1.
The terminal has five floors and a total floor area of 112,500 square meters.
It has four main sections: the passenger terminal, a multi-story car park integrated with non-aviation services, an overpass, and an aircraft parking area.
It has 25 security control gates, 90 traditional check-in counters, 20 automatic baggage drop counters, and 42 check-in kiosks.
Directions to T3
Visitors should be careful to distinguish T3 from other terminals before heading to the airport to avoid confusion. Below are the most convenient routes to the new terminal:
From T1: Head straight along Truong Son Street and turn onto Phan Thuc Duyen Street to reach T3.
From downtown HCMC: Start on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, continue along Nguyen Van Troi Street and Hoang Van Thu Park and turn into Tran Quoc Hoan Street to reach T3.
From eastern HCMC (Thu Duc City): Travel on Pham Van Dong Street to Truong Son Street and continue along Tran Quoc Hoan Street to reach T3.
From the west and south of HCMC (An Suong, Tan Ky Tan Quy, Tan Phu, Binh Tan, Binh Chanh Districts):
Drive on Cong Hoa Street and turn into Tran Quoc Hoan Street to reach T3.
From Truong Chinh Street: Head toward Cong Hoa Street and turn into either the extended portion of Hoang Hoa Tham Street or 18E Street to reach T3.
Transportation
Visitors can reach Tan Son Nhat Airport Terminal 3 by:
Shuttle bus: The airport operates shuttle buses between terminals at a frequency of every 20 minutes, making it easy for passengers to travel between T1, T2 and T3.
Taxis and ride-hailing services: Passengers can use taxis or ride-hailing services such as Grab to reach T3 directly.
Public buses: Several public bus routes serve the airport, including 109, 152, 72-1, and 103. Route 109 is particularly useful as it stops close to T3.
Important notes for passengers
Passengers should adhere to the airport's guidelines and use ride-hailing apps to select the correct pick-up and drop-off points corresponding to their departure terminal.
For flights departing from T3, it is recommended to review the airport map and terminal diagram in advance to plan the best route, especially during rush hour.
In case you arrive at the wrong terminal, you can contact airport staff for assistance or use a ride-hailing app to quickly reach T3.
Passengers are advised to arrive at least two hours before departure to allow sufficient time for check-in and security procedures. Carefully checking flight information, check-in gates and estimated travel times will ensure a smooth journey and prevent last-minute issues.
On April 17 the new terminal handled its first flight, which left for Van Don in the northern province of Quang Ninh. It is expected to be fully operational on the 50th anniversary of national reunification, April 30, 2025. Source: VNEXPRESS.
