Vietnam Airlines reports smooth first day after fully transitioning to Tan Son Nhat airport’s T3 terminal

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines successfully completed its first day of operating all its domestic flights at the newly-opened T3 terminal of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City with smooth and stable operations on Saturday

Beginning at 4:00 am that day, the airline officially shifted all domestic services to the terminal.

A representative of Tan Son Nhat International Airport said that the new terminal handled 144 Vietnam Airlines flights and served 23,500 passengers on Saturday, accounting for around 22 percent of the airport’s total daily traffic.

This marked a significant increase from earlier phases, when Vietnam Airlines operated only a few routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam.

The airline had initially intended to complete its transition on April 28, but the plan was postponed to ensure all preparations were properly in place.

The T3 terminal of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City officially opened on April 19, marking a significant step forward in the modernization of the country’s transportation network.

Attending the grand opening of the terminal, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh described it as a symbol of national unity and collective effort.

T3, which spans 112,500 square meters with one basement and four above-ground floors, incorporates smart airport technology.

Air passengers can use chip-based citizen ID cards or the VNeID app to complete check-in, baggage drop, security clearance, and boarding procedures through automated electronic gates.

The terminal, designed to serve 20 million passengers annually, and handle up to 7,000 passengers per hour during peak times, is equipped to accommodate aircraft from code C to code E.

Domestic flights operated by VietJet Air, Pacific Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines and Vasco, and Vietnam Airlines flights using ATR72 aircraft to connect with Con Dao Island, Ca Mau Province, and Rach Gia in Kien Giang Province continue to operate at the T1 terminal.

Air passengers are advised to carefully check their ticket information to confirm their departure terminal, particularly during the early stages of the T3 terminal’s operation.

Inconsistent terminal information provided by some airlines has raised concerns about passengers mistakenly arriving at the wrong terminal, potentially missing their flights.

To avoid such issues, passengers are encouraged to contact their airlines directly to verify details and plan their journeys accordingly, especially given the different access routes for the T3 terminal compared to the older T1 and T2 terminals.

In response to concerns about signage inconsistencies, the representative of the airport stated that the airport management board is working with relevant units to improve the installation of clear, easy-to-recognize signs.

Efforts are also being made to enhance shuttle bus services, particularly those with direct routes to T3, to minimize walking distances and improve passenger convenience.

Tieu Bac - Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/05/19-12:23)