Jazmin Li
Vietnam's airports offer a range of facilities and dining options for travellers. Ho Chi Minh City Airport, Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, and Da Nang International Airport are some of the largest and most popular airports in the country. Ho Chi Minh City Airport has a range of seating options, sleep zones, and pay-to-enter lounges. It also offers a variety of local and international dining options, including traditional Vietnamese cuisine and Western fast food. Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport has two terminals for domestic and international flights, with a free shuttle bus connecting them. Da Nang International Airport is modern and rarely overcrowded, with lounges, shops, and ATMs. When travelling to Vietnam, it is recommended to arrive at the airport early to navigate traffic and allow for potential delays.
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What You'll Learn
Eat local street food or at chain restaurants
If you're looking to eat, Vietnam's airports tend to have chain restaurants. Burger King, Highlands Coffee, Big Bowl, and Star Cafe are common across various terminals. Global fast-food chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut have also established themselves in Vietnam, with unique menu items catering to Vietnamese tastes. KFC, for instance, is famous for its signature fried chicken, with a blend of 11 herbs and spices. Lotteria, a Korean fast-food chain, is another option, known for its friendly service and convenient locations.
If you're looking for local street food, Ho Chi Minh City Airport offers traditional Vietnamese cuisine, including baked goods, sweets, and banh mi sandwiches. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa, featured on Luke Nguyen's Street Food Asia, is a highly-rated banh mi stall known for its generous portions. Banh Nam, another banh mi stall, offers grilled chicken and special banh mi with grilled chicken breast, pork floss, and fresh vegetables. For something different, try Phuc Hai's banh mi heo quay, made with roasted pork belly and crispy skin.
Outside the airport, Ho Chi Minh City has a variety of restaurants, street food stalls, and cafes offering traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Saigon is renowned for its street food, with a wide range of options to choose from. Bún riêu, a type of Vietnamese soup, is a popular local dish. For those craving seafood, Vinh Khanh Street is the place to go, with a variety of small seafood dishes to sample.
If you have a long layover, consider exploring the city. Ho Chi Minh City is easily accessible, and you can stroll through neighbourhoods, visit the riverfront, or explore cultural sites like the Saigon Post Office, City Hall, and the War Remnants Museum. Taxis and buses are available for transportation, with licensed cab companies offering efficient rides to the riverfront area.
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Relax in a pay-to-enter lounge
If you're looking for a comfortable place to relax and unwind during a layover at Ho Chi Minh City Airport, consider visiting one of the pay-to-enter lounges. These lounges offer a peaceful environment with various amenities to enhance your airport experience. Here are some reasons why you should consider relaxing in a pay-to-enter lounge during your next layover:
Unwind in Comfort and Style
The Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge, located on level three of the terminal, offers a bright and spacious area with ample natural light and stunning views of the taxiway and runway. You can witness a beautiful sunrise or enjoy plane spotting as you relax in one of the various seating areas available. The lounge offers dining tables, communal high-top tables, and comfortable chairs, ensuring you can unwind in style.
Enjoy Unlimited Food and Drinks
Pay-to-enter lounges often provide a variety of food and beverage options to satisfy your cravings. Indulge in unlimited meals, snacks, and drinks, including local favourites such as banh mi sandwiches and Vietnamese coffee, or opt for international options like burgers and muffins. Lounges typically feature well-known chain restaurants, ensuring you can find something to suit your taste.
Take Advantage of Modern Conveniences
Ho Chi Minh City Airport's lounges offer modern conveniences to enhance your comfort and convenience. Enjoy access to unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi, charging ports for your electronic devices, and peaceful sleep zones with recliners and paid sleep pods. Some lounges even provide showers, ensuring you feel refreshed and rejuvenated during your layover.
Book in Advance or Use Lounge Memberships
Planning to access a pay-to-enter lounge? You can book your lounge access in advance to secure your spot. Alternatively, if you're a frequent traveller, consider utilising your lounge membership program to gain entry. This way, you can take advantage of the lounge facilities without worrying about last-minute availability.
Explore Other Airport Amenities
In addition to the lounges, Ho Chi Minh City Airport offers a range of other amenities to explore. You'll find duty-free shops, international brand stores, and cafes with comfortable seating and charging points. There's also a spa offering massages, a pool table for entertainment, and designated sleep zones throughout the airport.
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Explore Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant and bustling place, full of energy and with plenty to explore. The city is easily accessible, with Tan Son Nhat International Airport welcoming both foreign and domestic arrivals daily. The airport is in the city, so getting out to explore is simple.
If you have a long layover, you can easily pop out and explore the neighbourhoods, eat some local food, and visit some attractions. The city has a good transport system, with buses, taxis, and ride-hailing apps like Grab, which are great if you have a Vietnamese SIM card.
For those interested in history and culture, the War Remnants Museum is a must-see, offering a local perspective on the Vietnam War era of the 1950s to 1970s. Independence Palace is another popular attraction, as are the Cu Chi Tunnels, which provide an immersive experience of guerrilla tactics used during the war.
For shopping, the Ben Thanh Market is a popular choice, with a wide range of goods, and Saigon Square offers air-cooled comfort as you browse. The city also has a vibrant street food scene, with traditional dishes like banh mi and pho widely available.
If you're looking for a wild night out, Bui Vien Street is the place to be, known for its lively atmosphere and popularity among travellers.
With so much to offer, Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to explore, whether you're just passing through on a layover or staying for a longer visit.
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Play pool, get a massage, or nap
If you're looking for some entertainment, there are a variety of options within Vietnam's airports. For instance, you can play pool, get a massage, or take a nap.
Ho Chi Minh City Airport has a range of facilities to keep you occupied during your layover. If you're looking to stay active, there are swimming pools located a short distance from the airport. Phu Tho Pool, for example, is a large, clean, and well-maintained 50-metre pool surrounded by tennis courts, a football pitch, and a running track. It is often empty during weekday afternoons, so you may even have the entire pool to yourself! If you're looking for something more low-key, head to the Cộng Hòa Swimming Pool, which is located near the top of Cách Mạng Tháng Tám. While the facilities are a little dated, it is one of the cheaper pools and a great option for a quick dip.
If you're feeling a little sore from your travels, there is a foot massage spa located in the International Airport airside in Saigon. The standard is reportedly good, and it is a great way to pass the time.
If you're after a quick nap, Ho Chi Minh City Airport has plenty of seating, especially on the third floor in the Wellwishers Gallery. There are also designated sleep zones with chairs, recliners, and paid sleep pods. For a more peaceful environment, travellers recommend the International Terminal. If you prefer a proper bed, there are a few hotels located within a 5-minute drive of the airport.
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Shop at duty-free stores
Vietnam's airports are a shopper's paradise, with a wide range of duty-free stores offering everything from cosmetics and perfumes to luxury goods and local handicrafts. Here's what you need to know about shopping at Vietnam's airports:
A Variety of Products
Duty-free stores in Vietnam's airports offer a diverse range of products to meet your needs. You can find renowned brands like Chanel, Dior, Bvlgari, Armani, and many more in the cosmetics and fragrance sections. Additionally, these shops offer unique regional items such as Vietnamese coffee, silk scarves, traditional liquor, local spices, and handicrafts. You can also browse through high-end electronics showrooms from brands like Panasonic, Toshiba, and Samsung.
VAT Refunds and Savings
Vietnam offers an attractive VAT refund scheme for eligible travellers. When purchasing duty-free goods, foreigners can claim a refund of 85% of the VAT on qualified products, with a 15% processing fee. To take advantage of this, ensure that you keep your receipts, boarding ticket, and declaration form. Submit these documents along with your VAT refund application at the designated counter before changing your money at a terminal bank.
Currency and Payment
Vietnam's airport duty-free stores accept various currencies, including USD and VND. While USD is widely accepted and sought-after, it's important to note that prices may be quoted in any currency, which can lead to unexpected costs. Additionally, some stores may offer better exchange rates than others, so it's beneficial to explore multiple options before making a purchase.
Airport-specific Offerings
Different airports in Vietnam provide unique shopping experiences:
- Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City): This airport offers a range of duty-free stores with high-end products and reasonable prices. You can find luxury brands like Gucci, D&G, and An Phoc here.
- Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi): Here, you'll discover regional arts and crafts, unique souvenirs, and alcoholic beverages.
Relax and Recharge
Vietnam's airports also provide comfortable seating, cafés with charging points, and free Wi-Fi across the terminals. You can relax, recharge your devices, and enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee while waiting for your flight. Some airports even have spas, offering massages to enhance your overall airport experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Ho Chi Minh City Airport offers a range of facilities to keep you entertained during a layover. You can sample traditional Vietnamese street food and local coffee, or opt for Western food at KFC. There are also pay-to-enter lounges that offer unlimited food and drinks, as well as peace and quiet. If you'd like to leave the airport, a 5-hour layover should give you enough time to visit a restaurant nearby. You can also explore the city by strolling through neighbourhoods, visiting the riverfront area, or checking out attractions such as the Saigon Post Office, Ho Chi Minh City Hall, and the War Remnants Museum.
Metered taxis are available at Vietnam's airports, with fares ranging from 300,000 to 400,000 VND. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab, Be, and Go Viet are also an option, with rides typically costing around 250,000 VND. Some airlines offer minivan services to and from the airport, and there are also bus options, including the bright orange 86 Express Bus in Hanoi.
All international airports in Vietnam offer free WiFi, water drinking stations, currency exchange centres, duty-free shops, and smoking lounges. You can also find ATMs inside and outside the terminals, and a variety of dining options, including chain restaurants such as Burger King, Highlands Coffee, and Big Bowl.
