Tan Son Nhat Airport, established in the 1930s and significantly expanded through the years, currently consists of three main buildings: the Domestic Terminal (T1), the International Terminal (T2), and the brand-new Domestic Terminal (T3). Each serves distinct functions to keep the "Southern Gateway" moving:

1. Domestic Terminal (T1) – Serving domestic flights
Terminal 1 (T1) of Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the dedicated hub for domestic flights within Vietnam. As of 2026, with the opening of the new Terminal 3, only Vietjet Airlines continues to operate domestic carriers in Hall A of Terminal 1.
- Ground Floor: Arrival hall where passengers collect their baggage after landing and moving to the outside area to catch transportation. It also offers various amenities such as food courts, restaurants, ATMs, lost luggage assistance, and more.
- 1st Floor: This is the main area for departing passengers. The waiting area has 14 boarding gates, numbered from 1 to 14, arranged in order from left to right.

2. International Terminal (T2) – Serving international flights
Opened in 2007 and constantly updated, T2 is a modern glass-and-steel structure serving all global routes:
- Ground Floor (Arrivals): This is where passengers complete immigration procedures, collect checked baggage, and go through customs after disembarking.
- 1st Floor (Departures): This area includes check-in counters, security checks, and gates 10 to 25. This floor also houses business class lounges.
- 2nd Floor: This is where international airlines check in, including counters A/B, C/D, E/F, G/H, I/J, K/L. After completing the check-in process, passengers proceed to the immigration and security area.
- 3rd Floor: This is the business class lounge area, featuring a luxurious design and numerous high-end amenities.

3. Domestic Terminal (T3) – Serving domestic flights
Located on the "other side" of the airport grounds along Phan Thuc Duyen Street, the Terminal 3 (T3) at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s newest and largest domestic passenger terminal, officially inaugurated on April 19, 2025. This project aims to meet the growing travel demand, especially for domestic flights, while also helping to alleviate pressure on Terminal T1.
As of March 2026, Terminal T3 will be operated by six airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, Vasco, and Vietravel Airlines.
- Ground Floor (Arrivals): This is the staff housing area. Passengers can also go down to the lobby on the ground floor to travel back to the city by motorbike or Grab bike.
- 2nd Floor (Arrivals): This level features 10 modern baggage claim carousels and a spacious greeting hall. It connects directly to the multi-story parking and commercial complex. Includes arrival hall, public restrooms, information desk, convenience stores, and a café.
- 3rd Floor (Departures): This is the heart of the terminal. It features 90 traditional check-in counters, 42 self-service kiosks, and 20 automated bag-drop units. After security, you will find 27 boarding gates (13 jet bridges and 14 bus gates).
- 4th Floor (Lifestyle & Luxury): This level is dedicated to premium services, including the VIP/Business Class lounges, a variety of high-end restaurants, and relaxation zones.


3. Popular services and how to locate them
- Free Wi-Fi: Accessible throughout the terminal. Look for the networks "FreeWifi TanSonNhat AirPort" or "TSN Free Wifi Express". You may need to open a browser to "log in," but no password is required.
- SIM Cards: At T1, kiosks are located in the Arrival Hall (Ground Floor) near the exits and the information desks (typically near Gate C and D); At T2, kiosks are located in the Arrival Hall (Ground Floor) immediately after clearing customs and near the terminal exits; At T3, these are concentrated in the T3 Skypark, the large commercial complex connected to the terminal, and the public Arrival lobby on 2nd Floor.
- Banks & ATMs: At T1, a VietinBank branch and 6 ATMs are located directly opposite the D2 entrance on the Ground Floor; At T2, 5 machines are located near Columns 3 and 14 on the Ground Floor (Arrivals).
- Tax Refund: You can find Visit the customs inspection counter in the public departure hall of T2 to get your invoices stamped. After security, the cash refund counters (BIDV/Vietinbank) are located in the transit area near Gates 8–9.
- Medical Services: At T1, an emergency medical room is situated near the D2 entrance (Arrival Hall).; At T2, clinics are located near Gate 19 (1st Floor) and the A2 entrance (Ground Floor); At T3, a modern 24/7 medical station is located on the 3rd floor.
- Baggage Services: At T1, it is located near entrance D2 and opposite check-in counters A and B; At T2, it is located near the D1 and D2 entrance gates; At T3, official storage counters are located in the 3rd Floor.
Pro-Traveler Experience Tips
- The "Saigon Squeeze": Tan Son Nhat is extremely close to the city, but traffic in Tan Binh District is legendary. Always allow at least 60-90 minutes for the 7km trip during rush hour (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM).
- Before heading to the airport, double-check your ticket. Many domestic flights have shifted to the new Terminal 3 (T3) to reduce the famous "Saigon Squeeze" (congestion) at T1. But remember that T3 has its own entrance on Phan Thuc Duyen Street. Do NOT go to the main Truong Son Street entrance (T1/T2) unless you want a very long shuttle bus ride (about 15-25 minutes by motorbike, car, or taxi/ride-hailing service, or even longer if you encounter traffic jams!)
- At T2, the Visa counter is to the left of the immigration lines. Have your "Letter of Approval" and exactly $25.00 USD ready in cash. They do not like giving change in other currencies!
- If you are using Grab or a private car, you will likely need to go to the TCP Parking Building across from T1. It has a dedicated bridge and elevators for ride-hailing pick-ups.
- The airport air conditioning is quite powerful. Keep a light scarf or jacket in your carry-on to avoid the "airport chill" while waiting for your flight.
- If you have extra time, visit the central landscaped courtyard. The architecture uses "lifting and folding" roof layers that create a beautiful indoor-outdoor feeling.
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